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
Iran’s ability to build and stockpile ballistic missiles and long-range drones has been set back for years, according to the White House.
—
Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 11 Apr. 2026
Brown said the Knicks had been utilizing Towns’ playmaking abilities all season — but not like this.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 11 Apr. 2026
Having coached him the past two seasons, offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner wasn’t surprised by Philo’s ability to bounce back.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2026
He was lauded for his analytical mind and ability to relate to players.
—Kansas City Star, 11 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ability
Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 11 Apr. 2026
Brown said the Knicks had been utilizing Towns’ playmaking abilities all season — but not like this.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 11 Apr. 2026
Having coached him the past two seasons, offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner wasn’t surprised by Philo’s ability to bounce back.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2026
He was lauded for his analytical mind and ability to relate to players.
—Kansas City Star, 11 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ability
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ability
Noun
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But these tools frequently oversimplify human capability and fail to capture actual potential.—
Elan Gepner-Dales,
Rolling Stone,
6 Apr. 2026
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About four years ago, China built its own sophisticated space station, called Tiangong, a dramatic demonstration of its human spaceflight capability.—
David W. Brown,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The core of Pauley’s lawsuit centers on City Auditor Marc Shaw, who served in an interim capacity before being appointed to the permanent role last month.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Brown pointed to ongoing concerns in his district about road capacity and infrastructure needs, including efforts to expand NC 160 in the fast-growing Steele Creek area.—
Nora O'Neill,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The California Faculty Association, the union representing Cal State faculty, celebrated the verdict in a statement posted to social media, saying Caravello had been cleared of any wrongdoing and that the decision affirmed his right to protest.—
Cierra Morgan,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
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The investigation comes after a video circulated on social media that showed a faculty member in the Social Work Department explaining how DEI concepts are still taught in classes at the university.—
Samuel O’Neal
Updated April 10,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Experience, often in multiple systems, pays off at skill positions more than ever.—
Noah White,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
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As Inside Higher Ed notes, graduates with adaptable skills often continue to grow while others plateau.—
Rasheem Rooke,
CNBC,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Some say that the quantity of productions required by streaming services has diluted the talent pool of crews.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
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When their cultural impact coalesced with a massive talent infusion through the transfer portal, the Bruins captured their first championship in the NCAA era by routing South Carolina 79-51 on Sunday.—
Sabreena Merchant,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Rangers have shown greater aptitude against four-seamers in this six-game sample size to begin the season.—
Shawn McFarland,
Dallas Morning News,
2 Apr. 2026
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Flutie played beyond his physical abilities partly because of his aptitude.—
Dan Pompei,
New York Times,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ability.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ability. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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