as in abilities
the physical or mental power to do something
she's proved that she has the competency to run a major company
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Recent Examples of competencies
Earlier in the week, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella discussed an emerging type of knowledge work, with new competencies based on how AI was reshaping hierarchies and the way information flows through society.
—
Tristan Bove, Fortune, 23 Jan. 2026
Employees with these technical and strategic competencies are better positioned to navigate turnover and thrive in organizations that reward impact and execution speed over tenure or traditional hierarchy.
—Kara Dennison, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Building on this approach, Toth plans to guide the firm’s growth by strengthening existing competencies, deepening client and investor engagement, and adding professionals with sector-specific expertise.
—Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 16 Dec. 2025
McKinsey estimates that demand for social and emotional skills will rise by up to 25% this decade, and Deloitte finds that 92% of executives now rank empathy and collaboration as critical leadership competencies.
—Big Think, 18 Nov. 2025
That both would be forced to resign makes one wonder where the BBC can go next but retreat into its absolute core competencies.
—Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 10 Nov. 2025
Once considered superficial next to financial advice and tax planning, services for health and wellness, family and kids, and travel and self-improvement are becoming core competencies in the business of advising and helping wealthy families.
—Robert Frank, CNBC, 8 Nov. 2025
For those willing to develop emerging competencies, whether in AI literacy, ethical oversight, or strategic creativity, the evolving job market offers significant potential for career advancement.
—The Hill, 24 Oct. 2025
So thinking about my senior leadership team, what kind of roles and competencies are needed for the future and what is the right operating model of that leadership structure, given the fact that the organization has been rapidly changing.
—Alexis Kayser, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
Tristan Bove, Fortune, 23 Jan. 2026
Employees with these technical and strategic competencies are better positioned to navigate turnover and thrive in organizations that reward impact and execution speed over tenure or traditional hierarchy.
—Kara Dennison, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Building on this approach, Toth plans to guide the firm’s growth by strengthening existing competencies, deepening client and investor engagement, and adding professionals with sector-specific expertise.
—Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 16 Dec. 2025
McKinsey estimates that demand for social and emotional skills will rise by up to 25% this decade, and Deloitte finds that 92% of executives now rank empathy and collaboration as critical leadership competencies.
—Big Think, 18 Nov. 2025
That both would be forced to resign makes one wonder where the BBC can go next but retreat into its absolute core competencies.
—Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 10 Nov. 2025
Once considered superficial next to financial advice and tax planning, services for health and wellness, family and kids, and travel and self-improvement are becoming core competencies in the business of advising and helping wealthy families.
—Robert Frank, CNBC, 8 Nov. 2025
For those willing to develop emerging competencies, whether in AI literacy, ethical oversight, or strategic creativity, the evolving job market offers significant potential for career advancement.
—The Hill, 24 Oct. 2025
So thinking about my senior leadership team, what kind of roles and competencies are needed for the future and what is the right operating model of that leadership structure, given the fact that the organization has been rapidly changing.
—Alexis Kayser, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for competencies
Noun
-
The new model’s research and analysis abilities are likely what spooked financial services investors on Friday.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Keep in mind Black people were not welcomed as students at white colleges regardless of their abilities during the 1950s and 1960s, but Bonita’s grades were so high that Central Connecticut State University gave her a scholarship and honored her with an endowment scholarship in her name.—
Gary Franks,
Hartford Courant,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Suddenly, emotional skills that could not be measured by an IQ test, like self-awareness, empathy, and self-regulation, were recognized as essential to a successful life.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Now, even though a whole year has gone by, Alesia has gained zero knife skills.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
After a nearly two-month search for a successor, Yankee GM Brian Cashman elected to stay in house and last week named 44-year-old Mario Garza, who’s spent 16 years in various capacities in the Yankees minor league and scouting departments, as the new international scouting director.—
Bill Madden,
New York Daily News,
31 Jan. 2026
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Melbourne Park does have three smaller show courts with capacities between 3,000 and 5,000 and no reserved seating.—
Lev Akabas,
Sportico.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Competencies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/competencies. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
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