Synonyms of competence

competence

noun

ˈkäm-pə-tən(t)s 

as in ability

the physical or mental power to do something

questioned his competence to finish the task without help

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ability
• capacity
• capability
• competency
• aptitude
• talent
• faculty
• skill
• capableness
• reason
• equipment
• instinct
• knack
• gift
• facility
• prowess
• understanding
• intelligence
• dexterity
• resourcefulness
• endowment
• usefulness
• address
• influence
• resources
• adequacy
• effectiveness
• potency
• aptness
• fitness
• gray matter
• adroitness
• deftness
• means
• might
• staying power
• ken
• hand
• stuff
• wherewithal
• puissance
• effectualness
• form

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• incompetence
• disability
• incompetency
• incapacity
• inability
• ineptitude
• ineptness
• incapability
• paralysis
• weakness
• helplessness
• impotence
• deficiency
• powerlessness
• inadequacy
• ineffectiveness
• impairment
• defectiveness
• uselessness
• inefficacy
• ineffectuality
• incapableness
• incapacitation
• ineffectualness
• disablement
• debilitation
• inadequateness
• inefficaciousness

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of competence

Other agents assess whether the problem falls within their competence, bid for the work, and contract an autonomous laboratory accessible through the internet, which runs the experiment and returns cryptographically signed results. — ArsTechnica, 23 July 2026

Research in intercultural communication shows that successful communication depends not only on linguistic accuracy but also on cultural competence. — Karen Stollznow, The Conversation, 23 July 2026

Some positive reviews mention the firm's competence and ability to solve tax debt effectively, while some critical feedback mentions paying more in fees than any tax relief received. — Adam Palasciano, USA Today, 21 July 2026

What competence there is among the young appears to be almost entirely the product of institutional intervention. — Nikhil Krishnan, New Yorker, 20 July 2026