Synonyms of competent

competent

adjective

ˈkäm-pə-tənt 

1

as in qualified

having the required skills for an acceptable level of performance

any competent mechanic should be able to fix that

Synonyms & Similar Words

• qualified
• suitable
• capable
• good
• able
• expert
• fit
• skilled
• experienced
• equal
• proficient
• skillful
• adept
• prepared
• ready
• on the ball
• seasoned
• accomplished
• willing
• veteran
• trained
• masterful
• masterly
• ace
• practised
• master
• practiced
• versatile
• apt
• overqualified
• schooled
• all-round
• protean
• all-around

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• incompetent
• poor
• unqualified
• unfit
• inept
• inexperienced
• unskilled
• untrained
• unfitted
• unprepared
• new
• beginning
• inexpert
• green
• unseasoned
• raw
• unskillful
• untested
• untried
• unschooled

2

as in justified

being what is called for by accepted standards of right and wrong

the arbiter has all the necessary information to make a competent decision on the matter

Synonyms & Similar Words

• justified
• deserved
• legal
• suitable
• proper
• appropriate
• rightful
• legitimate
• due
• right
• fair
• warranted
• just
• merited
• condign
• requisite
• meet
• applicable
• lawful
• fitting
• strict
• correct
• equitable
• accurate
• apt
• impartial
• fit
• true
• stringent
• uncompromising
• square
• rhadamanthine

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unfair
• irrelevant
• undue
• unjust
• unjustified
• unwarranted
• improper
• unreasonable
• incorrect
• undeserved
• incoherent
• inappropriate
• unsuitable
• partial
• inapplicable
• biased
• unjustifiable
• unequal
• indefensible
• irrelative
• arbitrary
• unmerited
• inequitable
• unlawful
• inapt
• despotic
• illegitimate
• inapposite

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective competent contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of competent are adequate, enough, and sufficient. While all these words mean "being what is necessary or desirable," competent suggests measuring up to all requirements without question or being adequately adapted to an end.

had no competent notion of what was going on

When could adequate be used to replace competent?

The words adequate and competent can be used in similar contexts, but adequate may imply barely meeting a requirement.

the service was adequate

How are the words enough and sufficient related as synonyms of competent?

Enough is less exact in suggestion than sufficient.

do you have enough food?

When is sufficient a more appropriate choice than competent?

The meanings of sufficient and competent largely overlap; however, sufficient suggests a close meeting of a need.

sufficient savings

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of competent

Education and workforce development are also important; cities will require competent cybersecurity specialists who can manage these complex ecosystems. —Chuck Brooks, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025

The handwritten motion came after the judge held a hearing last month to determine if Bixby was mentally competent for execution. —Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 17 Sep. 2025

The Angels desperately need at least one or two pitchers from that list to become at least as good as Soriano, and two or three of them to become competent back-of-the-rotation starters. —Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 15 Sep. 2025

Being corporate should mean being competent, communicative, and respectful; not silencing your personality, culture, or humanity. —Maxine Harrison, Refinery29, 12 Sep. 2025