ability

noun

ə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce ability (audio)
Definition of abilitynext
as in capability
the physical or mental power to do something as a result of the accident the once-vigorous athlete lost the ability to walk

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 ability The volume of options can outrun the firm’s ability to commit. — Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2026 These experts assign ratings after analyzing a company's financials and ability to consistently pay dividends while also seeking capital appreciation. — Tipranks.com Staff, CNBC, 30 Aug. 2026 It was also highlighted that the particularly noteworthy is Skymaster’s ability to combine active and passive radar sensors with electro-optical sensors into a comprehensive air picture within the air defense network. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026 There’s growing evidence that devices not only hurt test scores but children’s ability to think. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ability
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ability
  1. capability
  2. capacity
  3. faculty
  4. skill
  5. talent
  6. aptitude
Noun
  • Steve Russell, vice president and general manager of Edison Works at GE Aerospace, said accelerating this type of testing is important for developing next-gen capabilities.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Its powerful jumpstarting capabilities can revive vehicles with gas engines up to 6 liters and diesel engines up to 4 liters.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of capability
Noun
  • Talent flight across many ASEAN economies prevents them from developing the technocratic capacity needed for advanced technology and energy sectors.
    — Brian Wong, Fortune, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The festival, with a capacity of 80,000 people, also was hit with mud and rain in 2023 as many attendees were trapped on its grounds, where vehicle traffic was temporarily limited and some hiked in the mud to nearby towns.
    — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of capacity
Noun
  • The ceremony brought together cadets, faculty, staff and guests and opened with a color guard and pipe and drum procession by members of the NYPD, FDNY and Port Authority Police Department.
    — Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The school now offers more than 200 AI courses, such as on AI basics and ethics, for any student or faculty member regardless of their technical knowledge.
    — Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of faculty
Noun
  • Bonnell appears to be treating software as another part of the motorcycle's suspension system and something that can be adjusted to suit the rider’s preferences, skill, and terrain.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2026
  • This may not come as a surprise in a world not only of AI, but widespread access to technology that requires ordinary people to develop typing skills.
    — Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of skill
Noun
  • During his seven-year tenure at the agency, Caoduro advised leading international fashion and luxury brands across global communications, media and corporate strategy and talent engagement.
    — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Ultimately, genetics and talent establish the ceiling, but the evidence suggests a supportive sibling ecosystem helps alchemize raw potential into greatness, and the sibling that benefits most is the one that comes later.
    — Douglas Robson, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of talent
Noun
  • This position — especially once assistant head coach Frank Smith arrived — requires immense mental aptitude.
    — Alec Lewis, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • How could King draw with such aptitude and still struggle to talk?
    — Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of aptitude

Browse Nearby Words

abilities
ability
a bit
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ability.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ability. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on ability

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ability

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of gist

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All