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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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
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Recent Examples of professional
Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 25 Apr. 2026
For those hours or miles before any professional medical treatment, the pill increases a bite victim’s chances of survival.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Jamal Goss, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
There are tens of thousands of investors and professionals who are living in Dubai, who are spending their time going to work every day and building the new Dubai.
—Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for professional
Adjective
Now, Elmore — a former collegiate and Cincinnati Bengals professional football player — uses that experience to inspire others to create better futures for children in similar situations.
—Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 25 Apr. 2026
For those hours or miles before any professional medical treatment, the pill increases a bite victim’s chances of survival.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Noun
Over the 11-day run, more than 20,000 people are expected to attend, bringing filmmakers, audiences and industry professionals together in Atlanta.
—Jamal Goss, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
There are tens of thousands of investors and professionals who are living in Dubai, who are spending their time going to work every day and building the new Dubai.
—Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for professional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for professional
Adjective
-
These designs are part of a fuel management program that provides technical methods and codes for the existing nuclear fleet to support higher burn-ups and higher enrichment levels.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Conor Gallagher lacks Xavi’s technical quality and Pape Matar Sarr is struggling with a shoulder injury.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But civil libertarians are unnerved about casting such a wide dragnet that captures highly personal information from hundreds or perhaps thousands of people who aren’t criminals.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Two other people, a civil society leader and a security member, confirmed the information.—
Wilson Mcmakin,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The disease is affecting deer nationwide and is spreading across the country, according to Andrew Labonte, wildlife biologist and disease specialist with the state’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
And their second-best defender, Jaden McDaniels, is skilled at calling the Nuggets’ names.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
-
While one research study found REIT investments were associated with higher spending on nursing wages, another concluded that after being bought by REITs, nursing homes frequently replaced registered nurses with less skilled nurses and aides.—
Jordan Rau,
Miami Herald,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The Hawks shot 10-of-41 in Game 4, a respectable 13-of-33 in Game 3, 9-of-30 in Game 2 and 14-of-37 from deep in Game 1.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
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His seven goals and 21 points this season were respectable for a now-21-year-old rookie, but Sandin-Pellikka’s value is predicated on his ability to move (and shoot) the puck.—
Max Bultman,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But people who buy the off-brand Noguchi will quickly find the rice paper isn’t as warm, Pietrantoni, the lighting consultant, tells me.—
Adriane Quinlan,
Curbed,
28 Apr. 2026
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Over months of reporting, Marcus spoke with dozens of clemency recipients, lawyers, historians, and the consultants offering clients their pardon expertise.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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This specialized category of exercise made its way into fitness centers around 2000, and it's been a mainstay since.—
Matt Parrott,
Arkansas Online,
26 Apr. 2026
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Active for more than 15 years, Ties That Bind is a specialized initiative from EAVE (European Audiovisual Entrepreneurs), a producer training organization focused on European-Asian co-production.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Conversely, the Oilers had a businesslike finish to their campaign despite adverse circumstances, specifically the absences of Draisaitl and Hyman.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
19 Apr. 2026
-
The atmosphere was hushed and businesslike; this was a routine pretrial hearing, and only a few other spectators joined me in the gallery.—
Patrick Radden Keefe,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Professional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/professional. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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