Synonym Chooser

How does the noun aptitude differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of aptitude are bent, faculty, genius, gift, knack, and talent. While all these words mean "a special ability for doing something," aptitude implies a natural liking for some activity and the likelihood of success in it.

a mechanical aptitude

How are the words bent and aptitude related?

Bent is nearly equal to aptitude but it stresses inclination perhaps more than specific ability.

a family with an artistic bent

When could faculty be used to replace aptitude?

In some situations, the words faculty and aptitude are roughly equivalent. However, faculty applies to an innate or less often acquired ability for a particular accomplishment or function.

a faculty for remembering names

When is it sensible to use genius instead of aptitude?

While in some cases nearly identical to aptitude, genius suggests impressive inborn creative ability.

has no great genius for poetry

When can gift be used instead of aptitude?

The words gift and aptitude can be used in similar contexts, but gift often implies special favor by God or nature.

the gift of singing beautifully

When would knack be a good substitute for aptitude?

The meanings of knack and aptitude largely overlap; however, knack implies a comparatively minor but special ability making for ease and dexterity in performance.

the knack of getting along

When might talent be a better fit than aptitude?

The synonyms talent and aptitude are sometimes interchangeable, but talent suggests a marked natural ability that needs to be developed.

has enough talent to succeed

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 aptitude For young professionals, demonstrating an attitude and an aptitude for lifelong learning will distinguish them in a demanding workplace. Ulrik Juul Christensen, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025 The Chiefs have an aptitude problem. Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2025 This leads him to discover an unexpected aptitude for cracking safes, turning his life upside down. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2025 As a memorial grew in the hours after the killing, his parents described him as a child who made his school’s honor roll and had an easy aptitude for multiplication tables. Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for aptitude
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aptitude
Noun
  • The cosmos is asking us to define our aspirations and inclinations.
    Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 20 Oct. 2025
  • On command, the Arc would detach from the service module and reenter the atmosphere at Mach 20+ with a high sustained g-load to arrive at any location within its orbital inclination zone.
    David Szondy October 13, New Atlas, 13 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The Browns clearly need help at the wide receiver position, but Gabriel's arm talent has not stuck out much.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
  • The supermodel sisters have been very vocal about Mohamed's culinary talents.
    Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Selling a put under those conditions, with roughly 60 days to expiration, positions the seller to capture elevated option premium while capturing the tendency for prices to revert toward the mean.
    Michael Khouw, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2025
  • However, the former collegiate volleyball player says her husband, Philadelphia Eagles guard Landon Dickerson, doesn't share her cautionary tendencies.
    Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The tall, elegant arches house a variety of books and knick-knacks.
    Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Oct. 2025
  • However, West Virginia’s defense has a knack for forcing turnovers.
    Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Turns out it’s finished ahead of schedule and already shipping the servers, which will support Apple Intelligence services on consumer devices like iPhones, according to a new Fox Business report.
    Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2025
  • That means more than one of every eight of Kroger's 103 stores in its Cincinnati-Dayton division (which includes Northern Kentucky) have the digital devices so far.
    Alexander Coolidge, Cincinnati Enquirer, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • This style is sleek enough for the minimalist, while keeping that subtle, bohemian flair.
    Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2025
  • The experience injects Italian flair into the formal British ceremony.
    Kathryn Streeter, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Mulroney, who grew up in a small Quebec town, had an ideological affinity with the emerging trends of privatization and deregulation in 1980s Anglo-American conservatism.
    Dónal Gill, The Dial, 28 Oct. 2025
  • Debuting on the brand’s fall 2024 runway, the heels were upcycled by Dauphinette’s founder, Olivia Cheng, who explained her affinity with the earth-friendly design practice to luxury resale platform The RealReal.
    Kelsey Stewart, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The city has a wealth of outdoor activities and arts and cultural events, according to the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, including downhill skiing at the Granite Peak Ski Area, cross-country skiing, the annual Art World craft and gift festival, and more.
    Katie Nadworny, Travel + Leisure, 22 Oct. 2025
  • The Perfect Gift for Coffee Aficionados Beyond improving your own morning routine, Gaines’ vanilla sugar blend is also a thoughtful gift.
    Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Aptitude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aptitude. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

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