1
as in qualified
having the required skills for an acceptable level of performance
any competent mechanic should be able to fix that
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in justified
being what is called for by accepted standards of right and wrong
the arbiter has all the necessary information to make a competent decision on the matter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of competent
They are expected to be both competent and warm, while men are primarily judged on competence.
—
Maia Niguel Hoskin,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Now, Manzardo has been the team’s most competent hitter over the last six weeks.
—
Zack Meisel,
New York Times,
11 June 2026
If he is later found competent, the federal case could resume.
—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
10 June 2026
George Psoras is a serious trial lawyer who will make the office tougher, fairer and more competent.
—
Clarke Ahlers,
Baltimore Sun,
10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for competent
Maia Niguel Hoskin,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Now, Manzardo has been the team’s most competent hitter over the last six weeks.
—
Zack Meisel,
New York Times,
11 June 2026
If he is later found competent, the federal case could resume.
—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
10 June 2026
George Psoras is a serious trial lawyer who will make the office tougher, fairer and more competent.
—
Clarke Ahlers,
Baltimore Sun,
10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for competent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for competent
Adjective
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The proposal targets universities that, in the two most recent academic years, didn’t admit all academically qualified applicants.
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According to officials, Releford lied about his criminal history, education, and professional qualifications to become a judge, despite not having a nursing degree or being qualified to practice in Georgia.
Adjective
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If that underlying logic is stripped away, policymakers may feel justified in reversing these successful, health-promoting policies.
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These are entirely justified responses to Russian strikes against our state.
Adjective
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Accessibility Unfortunately, the suites at Hotel Ottilia are not suitable for those with reduced mobility.
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IsoHemp’s blocks, made out of hemp and lime binders, can be integrated into load-bearing structures, and are suitable for both interior and exterior walls.
Adjective
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Germany's head coach, Julian Nagelsmann, gave Ecuador its deserved praise for the win today, saying his own team failed to find its rhythm in the second half.
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Two families continue to carry burdens that neither asked for nor deserved.
Adjective
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That window is shorter than most executives assume, as mental and physical declines often begin earlier than midlife, while the leader still feels fully capable and engaged.
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The lower the number, the brighter the object, with the human eye capable of spotting targets down to a magnitude of +6 from a dark sky location.
Adjective
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Those also include new regulations on mail-in voting that are likewise facing legal challenges.
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Nejat received legal support from the Association of Flight Attendants, which has been trying to organize Delta’s 28,000 flight attendants for decades.
Adjective
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While some of the wives wouldn’t bother coming to games every Sunday, Michel said, many of the children saw the Feeney fathers as proper heroes.
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Files, buffers, cuticle tools and even gel systems can last for months or years with proper care, which means the math tilts in favor of DIY after just a few uses.
Cite this Entry
“Competent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/competent. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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