professional 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of professionalnext
1
as in technical
having or showing trained ability in a particular field of knowledge Many of the applicants lacked the professional experience the job required. She had always dreamed of becoming a professional boxer.

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2
as in civil
in a serious and polite manner She found his presentation informative and his delivery quite professional. Employees were expected to act in a professional manner when dealing with potential customers.

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Dissimilar Words

professional

2 of 2

noun

as in specialist
a person with a high level of knowledge or skill in a field If you want the job done right, you really should hire a professional.

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of professional
Adjective
Before pursuing acting, Wilson played professional basketball overseas. — Donald Fountain, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026 Literacy is defined by a person’s ability to meet personal and professional demands. — Jose Cruz, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026
Noun
The cohort of 122 future veterinary medicine professionals will begin classes Wednesday. — Arkansas Online, 11 Aug. 2026 Highly adaptable professionals often feel stuck despite successful career changes, a phenomenon stemming from carrying outdated definitions of success into new roles. — Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for professional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for professional
  1. technical
  2. civil
  3. specialist
  4. skilled
  5. respectable
  6. consultant
  7. specialized
  8. businesslike
Adjective
  • There was a fluidity to their performance that treasured passion over technical precision.
    — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The board president did not respond when asked it they were denied access or if a technical glitch prevented access.
    — Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of technical
Adjective
  • According to a city news release, the agreement would resolve all civil claims tied to Jefferson's death and provide her family a measure of accountability.
    — Doug Myers, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The company has said Swarm's manufacturing approach extends well beyond a single platform, giving it the foundation to develop additional aircraft for defense, civil, and commercial customers.
    — John Magsam, Arkansas Online, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of civil
Noun
  • Every facility, however, should be able to identify EV-specific risks, isolate a vehicle when required, document its condition and route complex work to the appropriate specialist.
    — Oleksandr Chumachenko, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Also on the five-man team are Kameron Nelson and pommel horse specialist Patrick Hoopes, with veteran Yul Moldauer the traveling alternate.
    — Nancy Armour, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of specialist
Adjective
  • Analyzing a potential legal challenge The prospect of a trans woman who is skilled enough at basketball to play in the WNBA and who seeks employment in the WNBA is uncertain and, for now, speculative.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • PwC’s 2025 Global AI Jobs Barometer found that AI-skilled workers earned a 56% average wage premium in 2024 and that required skills are changing 66% faster in roles most exposed to AI.
    — Daniel Gumucio, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of skilled
Adjective
  • Hopefully the quarterback Miami guaranteed $45 million over the next two seasons to as a free agent will blossom into a respectable, if not top shelf NFL starter in time.
    — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2026
  • So far, the show has a very respectable 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, though that could move either direction once the series is out for the masses.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of respectable
Noun
  • Stephen Henriques, is Senior Research Fellow of the Yale Chief Executive Leadership Institute, a former McKinsey consultant, and policy advisor to the governor of Connecticut.
    — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026
  • David Crowley, who identified himself as a director of data center delivery solutions for a consultant to Prime Group, told council members the project is being designed with efficiency in mind.
    — Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of consultant
Adjective
  • That debut would unlock access to billions of dollars in additional capital, providing the immense financial runway required to fund escalating compute infrastructure costs, secure advanced hardware, and build specialized data centers.
    — Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The Sheriff’s Department dispatched a team of specialized crisis negotiators who attempted to negotiate his surrender, but the man refused to exit.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of specialized
Adjective
  • Players are having fun, and practice is more businesslike than previous years.
    — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 1 Aug. 2026
  • That moment sums up the nondescript way the Cubs assembled their bullpen, and the businesslike manner in which the club executes its game plans.
    — Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 12 July 2026
Definition of businesslike

Browse Nearby Words

profession
professional
professionalism
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Cite this Entry

“Professional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/professional. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of professional for Spanish Speakers

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