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 His bottom line was that achievement or failure follows entirely from that innate aptitude. Arthur Caplan, Scientific American, 17 Oct. 2024 Improving your inclusivity aptitude provides the structure needed to embed inclusion throughout your talent management life cycle. Rocki Howard, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025 Initially, the Hip were conjured from an undying love of Sixties and Seventies British rock that, coupled with Gord Downie’s Beat poet lyrical aptitude and Jim Morrison-esque stage presence, became a Canadian rock juggernaut. Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 20 Sep. 2024 This scenario is one in which a collaborative approach can yield big dividends for the plant operator who brings their workforce into the integration process early enough to assess aptitudes and plan ahead for instruction. Massimo Bizzi, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for aptitude 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aptitude
Noun
  • The dark inclinations of Oh, Hi! are a welcome change to the modern rom-com formula, externalizing Iris’ millennial romantic anxiety into a full emotional breakdown.
    Jourdain Searles, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Jan. 2025
  • In adolescence, those inclinations shifted toward the bohemia of the late-1960s art scene, and upon leaving home and going west, CalArts proved a sympathetic environment for his singular talents and personality.
    Guy Lodge, Variety, 27 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Collectively shifting to clean energy across all communities would minimize adverse impacts on vulnerable populations, create access to a broader talent pool, support a more stable regulatory environment and ultimately enhance long-term sustainability for businesses.
    Melissa Jun Rowley, Rolling Stone, 24 Jan. 2025
  • The timeline of Chiefs-Bills postseason battles includes classic games and Hall of Fame talent and brilliant coaching.
    Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 24 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • While her closeness to Erivo is one of the current discussion points around the film, Grande has had a tendency throughout her entire career to put friendship at the forefront.
    Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 4 Feb. 2025
  • The Recording Academy has long had a tendency to give Album of the Year to artists who were well overdue for the honor.
    Al Shipley, SPIN, 3 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Cecile had a knack for turning attacks into opportunities.
    Ilyse Hogue, TIME, 21 Jan. 2025
  • He’s got a knack for hitting holes in the net, frequently beating goalies low-blocker and five-hole.
    Scott Wheeler, The Athletic, 19 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The combination of IoT and AI enables connected devices to collect, analyze and act on data in real-time.
    Rahul Saluja, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
  • Just in time for Christmas, certain members of Congress are hard at work in their policy shops, fashioning a massive lump of cybersecurity coal with which to gift American users of electronic devices.
    David Williams, National Review, 26 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Keep reading for more of our favorite modernized pieces with a vintage flair to shop at Amazon.
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 29 Jan. 2025
  • With her own individual flair, Twigs is drawing a connection between party music past and present.
    Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 28 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Americans' nuanced attitudes toward birthright citizenship Trump won the presidency thanks in part to voters' affinity to Trump's more restrictionist views on immigration, which loomed pretty consistently as the second-most salient issue in the 2024 election after the economy.
    Geoffrey Skelley, ABC News, 23 Jan. 2025
  • United fans have long had an affinity for Argentine players, dating back to the treatment of David Beckham upon his return from the 1998 World Cup, drawn from an antipathy towards England’s national team among the club’s match-going support.
    Mark Critchley, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The Panama Canal was not a concession or a gift from the United States.
    Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 1 Feb. 2025
  • Looking for gift ideas and bargains, online shoppers flocked to artificial intelligence chatbots in droves this holiday season.
    Paulina Likos, CNBC, 1 Feb. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near aptitude

Cite this Entry

“Aptitude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aptitude. Accessed 7 Feb. 2025.

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