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
  • LaCombe, who played forward in his youth, has shown great improvement in his own end but still has the offensive inclinations to be a point producer.
    Eric Stephens, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Redford also shared that despite his inclination to public service, his ambitions were not political.
    Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • In all of these places, the broad availability of talent—whether as founders, knowledge workers, or highly skilled blue-collar workers—is viewed as one core element of the corporate ecosystem’s success.
    Peter Vanham, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2025
  • In conversation, Blunt’s admiration for Johnson is clear, and so is her interest in making sure other people recognize his talents and capabilities.
    Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • This is presumably a reference to Perkins' status as a closeted gay man, something Hitchcock likely knew, and not because Perkins had homicidal tendencies.
    JR Radcliffe, jsonline.com, 6 Oct. 2025
  • They were supervised, or not supervised, or supervised in such a way that their worst tendencies were encouraged instead of discouraged.
    Jennifer Gonnerman, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • That's not the end of her offensive output, though, as her knack for getting to the rim makes her one of the most dangerous drive-and-kick playmakers in the league.
    Devin Robertson, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Schiffmann has always had a knack for spectacle.
    Jordan Blum, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • As such, more will be required than a World Cup ticket, particularly because physical tickets are vulnerable to counterfeiting, while electronic devices, which may ordinarily be a way to show authentic tickets, are usually forbidden in consular buildings where interviews take place.
    Adam Crafton, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Nielsen’s streaming ratings cover viewing on TV sets only and don’t include minutes watched on computers or mobile devices.
    Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Brazil had lost the flair and spirit that had taken them to previous success.
    Michael Cox, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
  • For a touch of Western flair, Buckle & Belle Boutique features stylish fashion items and even has a fun make-your-own trucker hat bar.
    Erin Gifford, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Double-big lineup shaky early on A major part of the intrigue surrounding Şengün’s potential development this season is Houston’s affinity for using him in double-big lineups next to Steven Adams or Capela.
    William Guillory, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Kafka’s affinity with Black people arose at least in part from his sense of himself as a Jew in an increasingly hostile Central European environment.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Well, there was a real gift from the writers as far as that monologue was concerned.
    Katie Campione, Deadline, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Take a look at your holiday gift wrap, gift bags, bows, and ribbons.
    Amy Panos, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Aptitude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aptitude. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

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