as in ability
the physical or mental power to do something
questioned his competence to finish the task without help
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of competence
Last year, Bynum started teaching Duke physicians about shame competence, beginning with roughly 20 OB-GYN physician residents.
—
Charlotte Huff, NPR, 28 Oct. 2025
This win played out dramatically, but was built from the quiet competence, smart signings, and stellar game management that have made Sunderland this season’s surprise package.
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
Denver voters can choose leaders who bring urgency, competence, and a clear sense of responsibility to public education.
—Elaine Gantz Berman, Denver Post, 25 Oct. 2025
Still, the script has a crude competence.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for competence
Charlotte Huff, NPR, 28 Oct. 2025
This win played out dramatically, but was built from the quiet competence, smart signings, and stellar game management that have made Sunderland this season’s surprise package.
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
Denver voters can choose leaders who bring urgency, competence, and a clear sense of responsibility to public education.
—Elaine Gantz Berman, Denver Post, 25 Oct. 2025
Still, the script has a crude competence.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for competence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for competence
Noun
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His players marveled at this ability to focus.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
8 Nov. 2025
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As both a player and in his post-playing career, Craig has displayed an ability to elevate those around him.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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In brief – Atlantic thermal capacities, a Gulf Stream, six stable air masses, including (something of a future issue) polar.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
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Improvements in several fields are necessary to achieve this capacity.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Analysts note that this second prototype includes notable upgrades, including angular exhaust nozzles that replace the recessed versions seen on the earlier model, underscoring China’s push to close the gap with US air combat capabilities.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Nov. 2025
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Its chief investment vehicle is Humain, a homegrown company that is building out a full stack of data centers, cloud capabilities, large language models and applications.—
Tala Alrajjal,
CNN Money,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Companies that build these competencies first will have sustainable advantages in innovation speed and quality.—
François Candelon,
Fortune,
31 Oct. 2025
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In 2016, the state and the group settled a lawsuit over a backlog in criminal competency cases, though Disability Law Colorado later accused the state of breaching the agreement.—
Meg Wingerter,
Denver Post,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Competence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/competence. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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