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
Years of training, study, and planning, along with careful use of intelligence, have all contributed to the rapid elimination of much of Iran’s capacity to project power, and almost all of its ability to resist allied attacks.
—
Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2026
This gives them the ability to focus less on short-term financial constraints, and more on building and maintaining generational returns.
—Belinda G. Schwartz, Fortune, 7 Mar. 2026
Southern Miss forward Tylik Weeks is the Sun Belt’s leading scorer, which is buoyed by his ability to play through contact and draw fouls.
—Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 7 Mar. 2026
He was initially charged with vehicular assault and driving while ability impaired by drugs.
—Katie Houlis, CBS News, 7 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ability
Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2026
This gives them the ability to focus less on short-term financial constraints, and more on building and maintaining generational returns.
—Belinda G. Schwartz, Fortune, 7 Mar. 2026
Southern Miss forward Tylik Weeks is the Sun Belt’s leading scorer, which is buoyed by his ability to play through contact and draw fouls.
—Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 7 Mar. 2026
He was initially charged with vehicular assault and driving while ability impaired by drugs.
—Katie Houlis, CBS News, 7 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ability
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ability
Noun
-
Building a fuller wardrobe With the investment, Situationist is scaling its manufacturing capabilities.—
Lucy Maguire,
Vogue,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Over the past decade, researchers have enhanced its capabilities through artificial intelligence and machine learning to help the robot better understand and respond to its surroundings.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Iran had been building that capacity in Iraq since the 1980s, cultivating Shia political networks, exile parties and militia groups during and after the Iran-Iraq War and beyond with the explicit goal of ensuring a post-Saddam Iraq would never again threaten Iranian security.—
Farah N. Jan,
The Conversation,
10 Mar. 2026
-
That’s because one way a district can qualify for financial hardship is to have bond indebtedness of at least 60% of the total bonding capacity.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In attendance Friday were several dozen SMU law students and faculty; a handful of reporters and both franchises’ expansive legal teams, including Mavericks general counsel and chief ethics officer Sekou Lewis; and Stars president and CEO Brad Alberts.—
Brad Townsend,
Dallas Morning News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Academic freedom under threat The proposal does not specifically say that faculty cannot teach certain subjects or discuss particular issues.—
Fred L. Pincus,
The Conversation,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Flagg has showcased his playmaking skills in several ways throughout his first season in the NBA.—
SportsDay Staff,
Dallas Morning News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The humanoid demonstrated highly dynamic parkour skills upon being trained using the framework.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Like a rebellious band member or an unruly lover, Takahiro Miyashita has a talent for breaking up and making up.—
Ashley Ogawa Clarke,
Vogue,
9 Mar. 2026
-
According to a 2024 survey conducted across 200 companies, talent retention remains another major concern for manufacturers, contributing to labor scarcity.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
What Godoy does have a great aptitude for, however, is video games.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
But the biggest piece of that, beyond the ownership’s aptitude to do it, is the stadium project.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ability.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ability. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
