able

adjective

ˈā-bəl How to pronounce able (audio)
Definition of ablenext
as in qualified
having the required skills for an acceptable level of performance looking for an able and reliable assistant

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 able The platform should be able to maintain context throughout the conversation, ensuring that initial comments stay relevant and connected to later statements. — Stu Sjouwerman, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2026 Police said a witness was able to figure out who the man was, and officers arrested 40-year-old Christopher Antoine on Monday, the department said in a social media post. — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2026 Police said three people inside the car were able to get out and reach land safely. — Lauren Victory, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026 There is the optimism and hope that resistance can be effective and that the people have power and are able to take care of one another. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for able
Recent Examples of Synonyms for able
  1. qualified
  2. suitable
  3. capable
  4. competent
  5. good
Adjective
  • The answer to our nation’s physician shortage crisis is to fully open the doors to residency for all qualified candidates, not to close the door on those who choose the osteopathic pathway.
    — Torie Bosch, STAT, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Condoleezza Rice Former Secretary of State Rice is simultaneously too qualified for this role and also a little out of left field.
    — Chantel Jennings, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of qualified
Adjective
  • My friend Paul Davis, the great artist and illustrator, even did an impressive painting of a rat, yet neither of us could convince our editors that this urban reality was a suitable topic for an upscale city magazine.
    — Gloria Steinem, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2026
  • City had intended to replace every outgoing, but in the end felt that Nico O’Reilly would be a suitable option in midfield in place of Gonzalez, as they are well stocked at left-back with Josko Gvardiol and Rayan Ait-Nouri.
    — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of suitable
Adjective
  • The two components will work together as an all-up-round, or AUR, test bed capable of supporting hypersonic flight testing.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Remember that your shotgun cannot be capable of holding more than two cartridges in the magazine, and three total.
    — Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of capable
Adjective
  • In December 2023, a psychologist found that Walters was competent.
    — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Sep. 2026
  • In a May report, the hospital said Faust was competent to stand trial.
    — Melina Khan, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of competent
Adjective
  • Jarren Duran hit his 20th homer, a solo shot on the first pitch from Grayson Rodriguez (4-7), to spark a four-run second inning for Boston, which improved to an MLB-best 34-17 since the All-Star break.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Sep. 2026
  • General manager Andrew Berry and his staff have done a good job cleaning up their own mess caused by the 2022 Watson trade sinking the ship.
    — Zac Jackson, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of good

Browse Nearby Words

ablaze
able
able-bodied
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Able.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/able. Accessed 9 Sep. 2026.

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