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
Make demonstrated competence a source of evident admiration and unmistakable affirmation.
—
Chip Bell, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
Jess, finally looking and sounding like a confident adult, directs the commercial with competence.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 11 July 2025
Power, in this world, no longer demands competence.
—arkansasonline.com, 10 July 2025
Critics have accused the regime of prioritizing ideological loyalty over competence, allowing individuals who simply mouthed hard-line slogans to rise through the ranks while concealing their true allegiances.
—Mohammad Ayatollahi Tabaar, Foreign Affairs, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for competence
Chip Bell, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
Jess, finally looking and sounding like a confident adult, directs the commercial with competence.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 11 July 2025
Power, in this world, no longer demands competence.
—arkansasonline.com, 10 July 2025
Critics have accused the regime of prioritizing ideological loyalty over competence, allowing individuals who simply mouthed hard-line slogans to rise through the ranks while concealing their true allegiances.
—Mohammad Ayatollahi Tabaar, Foreign Affairs, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for competence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for competence
Noun
-
In the Senate, where the GOP currently has a slim 53 to 47 majority, being the party in charge is vital for the president and his ability to pass key legislation priorities, confirm nominees, including any potential Supreme Court vacancies.—
Savannah Kuchar,
USA Today,
3 Aug. 2025
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Meanwhile Kal-El, an alien from the planet Krypton who embraces a new identity on Earth as Superman, comes well-equipped with superhuman abilities.—
Devan Coggan,
EW.com,
3 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The completion of this $5.7 million project, the first step in a $600 million expansion that pushes the plant’s capacity to 50 million gallons per day, appears to be what the memorandum is referring to in regards to capacity expansion in August.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 July 2025
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By the end of the year, 103,000 more pets had entered shelters than had exited, contributing to an ongoing capacity crisis in U.S. shelters.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 July 2025
Noun
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The critical question is whether your organization will achieve these capabilities before competitors establish insurmountable advantages.—
Rafael Umann,
Forbes.com,
30 July 2025
-
Both characters are playable for specific levels or intervals within a single stage, but primarily they’re fused together (by demonic ninja magic!), making the bulk of their capabilities available at once.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
30 July 2025
Noun
-
But Padden rebutted that in her statement, noting that Galligan underwent two mental competency evaluations — one by the state Office of Civil and Forensic Mental Health in 2024 and another by an independent psychiatrist in June.—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
24 July 2025
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While some haven’t been able to show a connection, others suggest dogs really are more likely to pick humans displaying traits such as generosity, competency, and niceness.—
Rosie McCall,
Discover Magazine,
21 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Competence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/competence. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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