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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ability
Her effortless ability to go from full-on glitz to barefoot in jeans is the style duality that has made Marilyn Monroe's outfits such conversation starters even after decades have passed.
—
Kevin Huynh, InStyle, 10 Jan. 2026
Earlier on Thursday, five Senate Republicans bucked the president and joined Democrats on a procedural vote that could rein in his ability to take military action in Venezuela.
—Justin Papp, CNBC, 10 Jan. 2026
Fitness requirements and tour intensity are clearly indicated, helping travelers choose journeys suited to their abilities.
—Josh Roberts, USA Today, 10 Jan. 2026
Some people with the financial ability moved their families to the area and, for a time, returned to Venezuela to conduct business.
—Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ability
Kevin Huynh, InStyle, 10 Jan. 2026
Earlier on Thursday, five Senate Republicans bucked the president and joined Democrats on a procedural vote that could rein in his ability to take military action in Venezuela.
—Justin Papp, CNBC, 10 Jan. 2026
Fitness requirements and tour intensity are clearly indicated, helping travelers choose journeys suited to their abilities.
—Josh Roberts, USA Today, 10 Jan. 2026
Some people with the financial ability moved their families to the area and, for a time, returned to Venezuela to conduct business.
—Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ability
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ability
Noun
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Since the world model is built around video understanding, advances in video AI directly translate into better robotic capabilities.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Jan. 2026
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Wei held a security clearance that gave him access to sensitive national security defense information about the ship's operations and capabilities.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Jeff Brady, executive director of communications for the district, said Tiger Team Two met at least once a month from September to December to discuss and evaluate school enrollment, the capacity and upkeep and condition of each campus, finances and boundaries for each school.—
Fousia Abdullahi,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Jan. 2026
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An inflation report on Tuesday is set to provide a key gauge of the nation’s economy, just days after reports of a Department of Justice probe into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell brought fresh scrutiny to the independence of the central bank and its capacity to manage price increases.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Many of the medical school's students, faculty and residents work within that hospital as well as within hospitals and clinics throughout Austin.—
Nicole Villalpando,
Austin American Statesman,
12 Jan. 2026
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Hiring more full-time faculty, helping to bolster SCC’s apprenticeship programs and increase the transfer rate, and fostering a closer relationship with the city of Orange have been areas where Kim and her administration have made progress.—
Lou Ponsi,
Oc Register,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Their creative problem-solving skills, honed through years of emotional and domestic labor, become strengths during major life transitions.—
Oona Metz,
Time,
13 Jan. 2026
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One of the most important people in his life during that time, beyond his family, was Avalanche skills coach Mark Popovic.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The movie is like a version of Waiting for Guffman (1996) in which the Christopher Guest character was not a buffoon but an earnest striver with grit and (significant) talent.—
Peter Tonguette,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
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That’s because North Crowley’s talent development, depth, culture and recent success have put the school in a position to compete for championships.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Most of the team’s versatile and high-aptitude personnel is geared toward his specific style.—
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
8 Jan. 2026
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Crowe plays Roman general Maximus Decimus Meridius, a family man with a fierce aptitude on the battlefield.—
Lia Beck,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ability.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ability. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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