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
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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
Perhaps the most systematic attempt to bring order to this chaos comes from Google DeepMind, which in July 2024 proposed a framework with five levels of AGI performance: emerging, competent, expert, virtuoso, and superhuman.
—
ArsTechnica, 8 July 2025
In 2025, businesses were seen as nearly as ethical as NGOs and far more competent.
—Sarah Bush, Foreign Affairs, 3 July 2025
Two men accused of setting the fire that closed Interstate 471 and the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge for months have been found competent to stand trial.
—Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Orlando might actually have a competent offense for the first time in years.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for competent
ArsTechnica, 8 July 2025
In 2025, businesses were seen as nearly as ethical as NGOs and far more competent.
—Sarah Bush, Foreign Affairs, 3 July 2025
Two men accused of setting the fire that closed Interstate 471 and the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge for months have been found competent to stand trial.
—Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Orlando might actually have a competent offense for the first time in years.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for competent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for competent
Adjective
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The property may include a preservation easement — a voluntary legal arrangement between a property owner and a qualified organization to protect the home from alteration or demolition.—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 July 2025
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Cline: Unlike qualified plans, the assets in non-qualified plans aren’t required to be held in a separate trust.—
Larry Light,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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There are very justified concerns about the money that’s now committed to a 1B/DH-type throughout his early and mid-30s, but a lot of that has to do with the good-not-great OBPs that Devers has had in the past.—
Grant Brisbee,
New York Times,
20 June 2025
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Brit’s drama from the dinner seems more like a projection than a justified reaction.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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This content is not, nor is intended to be, trading or investment advice or a recommendation that any investment product or strategy is suitable for any person.—
JJ Kinahan,
Forbes.com,
16 July 2025
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Eco-stones made from recycled materials require less water and energy than pumice and are suitable for high-capacity batch processing.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
15 July 2025
Adjective
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The honor is very much deserved for Ryan, who has been the best pitcher on the Twins over the past few months with an 8-4 record, a 2.76 ERA, and 116 strikeouts.—
Dane Mizutani,
Twin Cities,
10 July 2025
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The Athletics receive plenty of deserved flak about playing in Sacramento — which was a purposeful move — while Tampa Bay continues to play elite baseball despite playing home games in another minor-league park (not purposeful) and continuing to pinch pennies.—
Chris Branch,
New York Times,
8 July 2025
Adjective
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The business is now in the capable hands of fourth- and fifth-generation relatives, who continue to uphold the traditions and values set by Louis and Regina Graeter.—
Ronny Maye,
Forbes.com,
19 July 2025
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Reagan's ability to bridge the partisan divide and work with congressional Democrats on specific bills, such as Social Security reform and immigration policies, suggests a White House capable of achieving ideological success despite congressional barriers.—
James Bickerton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 July 2025
Adjective
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As machine learning systems become capable of astonishing feats—drafting legal briefs, diagnosing diseases, predicting consumer churn—our natural tendency is to trust them.—
Ted Ladd,
Forbes.com,
19 July 2025
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The restoration follows several efforts by the Trump administration to end legal protections for hundreds of thousands of immigrants, including more than 200,000 Haitians who entered the U.S. under a Biden-era humanitarian parole program.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
19 July 2025
Adjective
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His uncle wanted to show him the ropes, but there were obstacles: equipment cost, building things to code, researching the proper setup.—
Roxana Popescu,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 July 2025
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That means mow your grass at the proper height for your species and fertilize and irrigate correctly.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
13 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Competent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/competent. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
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