aptitudes

noun

plural of aptitude
1
as in inclinations
a habitual attraction to some activity or thing bored teenagers with an aptitude for getting into trouble

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2
as in talents
a special and usually inborn ability has an aptitude for math

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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 aptitudes For this class, the premise is that your purpose in life lies to the intersection of your values, your aptitudes and your interests. — Dana Taylor, USA Today, 6 May 2026 This model reflects Japan’s long-standing corporate culture, which prioritizes new hires for their general potential—their aptitudes and aspirations, as opposed to their current skill sets or university majors—and then trains them on the job. — Gracia Liu-Farrer, Foreign Affairs, 18 Nov. 2025 More money is apt to make homeschooling worse and far less tailored to the individual student and their interests and aptitudes by encouraging parents to substitute pricey group programs for the requisite effort of individualized instruction. — Marie Sapirie, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025 Students are sorted into these houses based on their personalities and magical aptitudes. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 5 Aug. 2025 Creativity, insight, wisdom, and empathy—these aptitudes are wholly human and look to remain that way into the future. — IEEE Spectrum, 23 Nov. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aptitudes
  1. inclinations
  2. talents
  3. tendencies
  4. gifts
  5. affinities
  6. knacks
Noun
  • Putin will eventually leave office, whether by death, illness, or—against all observable inclinations—stepping aside.
    — Julian G. Waller, Foreign Affairs, 7 Aug. 2026
  • People with gene variants that affect these inclinations may also be at a higher risk of developing obesity and type 2 diabetes, researchers found.
    — Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 28 July 2026
Definition of inclinations
Noun
  • Other youth talents, like Tommy Marques, are also expected to leave, potentially paving the way for new signings like Rodri, as Deco balances sales with transfer pursuits.
    — Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026
  • After all, your time, talents and hard work hold tremendous value.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of talents
Noun
  • Using that information, the fitter identifies the head shape, hosel configuration and weighting that best complement the player's natural tendencies.
    — Jeff Goudy, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The zoological and mythographic tendencies of Caillois are by no means out of place here.
    — Jan Tumlir, Artforum, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of tendencies
Noun
  • After that, the two tinkered with a few start-up concepts, including one meant to help people surprise their friends with gifts—like wine at a restaurant.
    — Andrew Zucker, Vanity Fair, 14 Aug. 2026
  • People were more reluctant to use AI when choosing gifts for close friends.
    — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of gifts
Noun
  • The commerce of these images and goods might seem to reflect our identities as a mirror image of our affinities.
    — Jan Tumlir, Artforum, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Knowing their days of bloodline privilege are numbered, the German and the French aristocrat bond, their class affinities binding them more tightly than the uniforms that separate them.
    — Thomas Doherty, HollywoodReporter, 18 July 2026
Definition of affinities
Noun
  • It's filled with design-centric knick-knacks for your artsy friend.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Aug. 2026
  • This will help create more space for decor or other knick-knacks around your home and will give you peace of mind for having all of your mail in one place.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, The Spruce, 10 July 2026
Definition of knacks

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Cite this Entry

“Aptitudes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aptitudes. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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