Synonym Chooser

How does the noun talent differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of talent are aptitude, bent, faculty, genius, gift, and knack. While all these words mean "a special ability for doing something," talent suggests a marked natural ability that needs to be developed.

has enough talent to succeed

In what contexts can aptitude take the place of talent?

In some situations, the words aptitude and talent are roughly equivalent. However, aptitude implies a natural liking for some activity and the likelihood of success in it.

a mechanical aptitude

How are the words bent and aptitude related as synonyms of talent?

Bent is nearly equal to aptitude but it stresses inclination perhaps more than specific ability.

a family with an artistic bent

When might faculty be a better fit than talent?

The synonyms faculty and talent are sometimes interchangeable, but faculty applies to an innate or less often acquired ability for a particular accomplishment or function.

a faculty for remembering names

When could genius be used to replace talent?

The words genius and talent can be used in similar contexts, but genius suggests impressive inborn creative ability.

has no great genius for poetry

Where would gift be a reasonable alternative to talent?

The words gift and talent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, gift often implies special favor by God or nature.

the gift of singing beautifully

When can knack be used instead of talent?

While in some cases nearly identical to talent, knack implies a comparatively minor but special ability making for ease and dexterity in performance.

the knack of getting along

Examples of talent in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The private school is siphoning off much of the would-be public school talent in Parker by getting many of the top players in the Ponderosa, Legend and Chaparral neighborhoods to enroll on Newlin Gulch Boulevard. Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, 25 Oct. 2024 The memo is organized around two principal needs: talent and computational power. Byandrew Nusca, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2024 Launched in 2018, the Atlas Workshops are an industry initiative to foster and support the emergence of a new generation of Moroccan, Arab, and African filmmakers that provides an environment for exchanges between global professionals and regional talent. Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 25 Oct. 2024 Read the full Gemini Daily Horoscope Cancer (June 22 - July 22) Work your magic by showcasing your talents. USA TODAY, 25 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for talent 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'talent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Thesaurus Entries Near talent

Cite this Entry

“Talent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/talent. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on talent

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