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
Under the surface of the big-brand fatigue and the compliance grind, a new rhythm is taking hold, one built around competence, collaboration, and execution.
—
Gus Bartholomew, Sourcing Journal, 3 Nov. 2025
What skills — care, competence, sincerity, and reliability — are needed to strengthen the trust in these relationships?
—Colin Bedell, Them., 28 Oct. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for competence
Gus Bartholomew, Sourcing Journal, 3 Nov. 2025
What skills — care, competence, sincerity, and reliability — are needed to strengthen the trust in these relationships?
—Colin Bedell, Them., 28 Oct. 2025
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
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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Their 14,700-capacity stadium has plenty of old-school charm but badly needs modernisation.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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The system’s ability to seamlessly coordinate with these diverse assets demonstrated its capacity for intelligent, integrated mission solutioning, according to a press release.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Four major data centers are coming to southern Michigan as major companies are ramping up their artificial intelligence, cloud computing and other digital capabilities.—
Leah Olajide,
Freep.com,
9 Nov. 2025
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This demands extremely fast detection, early warning, and emergency response – key capabilities for modern military and civil defense forces.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
9 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 15 Nov. 2025.
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