COMPETENCE Synonyms: 71 Similar and Opposite Words

competence

noun

ˈkäm-pə-tən(t)s

Definition of competence

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

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 competence You may be tempted to keep performing competence because people have grown used to relying on you. — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 25 Sep. 2026 Finally, the case for continuing Republican support remains grounded in voters’ perceptions of Republican competence on the economy, border security and crime. — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026 Personal updates are shaped to signal competence, success, or moral clarity. — Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026 Sullivan exudes an air of competence and confidence that leave me encouraged. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 20 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for competence

Recent Examples of Synonyms for competence

Noun

Oil is big over there, and the two sides are targeting fuel operations, trying to destroy the war-making ability of the other.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026
Fele Martínez has this incredible ability to be funny without playing comedy.

— Annika Pham, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of ability

Noun

Buntar plans to use the funding to increase manufacturing capacity, recruit engineering and operations talent, and expand beyond intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance into other defense and civilian applications.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2026
The 16,900-capacity arena, also home to the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks, has hosted the Dream’s playoff appearances this season.

— Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of capacity

Noun

The latest contract modification will add two craft to the Navy’s ongoing procurement program, supporting its efforts to maintain and strengthen the capabilities required for modern amphibious operations.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2026
Still, the satellite’s cooling capabilities mean Google will run their chips for 15 minutes at a time before shutting them down to cool off, NPR reported.

— Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of capability

Noun

The tie-up between Ultra and Physical Intelligence thus reflects a clever division of labor and distribution play—one that lets the former focus on its core robot-building competency, while PI gets out-of-the-lab data to better train its models.

— Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026
Ragusa and Carney shared the areas of concern with city administrators and recommended a competency audit, according to the lawsuit.

— Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of competency

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competed

competence

competences

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“Competence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/competence. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of competence

noun

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