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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of professional
Tami Luhby,
CNN Money,
1 July 2026
Under the new rule, programs designated as professional degrees face federal student loan caps of $200,000, while other graduate programs are capped at $100,000.
—
ABC News,
1 July 2026
Chandra Asmara,
Fortune,
30 June 2026
Fewer fireworks, fewer fires 🎆 🔥 Leave the pyrotechnics to the professionals.
—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for professional
Adjective
In a controversial move, the Department of Education last year decided that certain healthcare studies – such as nursing, physician assistants and physical therapy – were not considered professional programs.
—
Tami Luhby,
CNN Money,
1 July 2026
Under the new rule, programs designated as professional degrees face federal student loan caps of $200,000, while other graduate programs are capped at $100,000.
—
ABC News,
1 July 2026
Noun
Makarim, who left Gojek in 2019 to join the cabinet under then President Joko Widodo, has warned that the case could deter professionals from entering public service and spook investors worried about legal uncertainty in Indonesia.
—
Chandra Asmara,
Fortune,
30 June 2026
Fewer fireworks, fewer fires 🎆 🔥 Leave the pyrotechnics to the professionals.
—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for professional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for professional
Adjective
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Known for his deep technical knowledge and signature milk punches, Gibson has brought that ingenuity to Lucky Star through his reserved cocktails, such as the cookies and cream made with rum, clarified milk tea and creme de cacao.
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Crews stabilized the pickup before performing a technical extrication to free the driver.
Adjective
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But by the time the bicentennial rolled around, my life had played out against the backdrop of civil unrest and the Vietnam War, both spilling from our black-and-white television almost nightly.
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The higher current density reduces the overall equipment footprint by roughly two-thirds and can lower civil engineering requirements for future installations.
Noun
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Teng found a menopause specialist from Midi who discussed the risks and benefits of HRT, and recommended vitamins, supplements, diet and lifestyle changes.
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Concert volume at large venues is largely unregulated, which is why Reddy and other pediatric specialists urge caution for the youngest fans.
Adjective
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The plebeians have plenty to be furious about, but their representatives, skilled at turning a crowd into a mob, seem hellbent on shoring up their own influence.
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It is stored in plain text in RAM and can theoretically be accessed by administrators, cloud operators, hypervisors, or highly skilled attackers through malware, insider threats, or side-channel attacks.
Adjective
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Despite hot, humid conditions, a respectable crowd has already gathered, with organizers expecting attendance to grow as temperatures ease later this evening.
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But the Celtics’ latest deal for George makes the Clippers original deal for George a lot more respectable.
Noun
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After spending two years in the Chicago Cubs organization as a consultant and scout, Little restarted his managerial career with the Dodgers, reuniting with some of his former players, including Nomar Garciaparra and Derek Lowe.
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Saudi Arabia ordered government entities to freeze payments to strategy advisers, management consultants, and law firms, Semafor reported in May.
Adjective
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The light is produced by specialized organs beneath the abdomen that take in oxygen.
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The owners credit a specialized mason for the rest of the stonework.
Adjective
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Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer praised Sugano for his businesslike approach to the game.
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Confirm details in writing early, keep communication brief and businesslike, and build in flexibility where possible.
Cite this Entry
“Professional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/professional. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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