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competent

Q: How does the adjective 'competent' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of competent are adequate , enough , and sufficient . While all these words mean "being what is necessary or desirable," competent suggests measuring up to all requirements without question or being adequately adapted to an end. // had no competent notion of what was going on

Q: When could 'adequate' be used to replace 'competent'?

The words adequate and competent can be used in similar contexts, but adequate may imply barely meeting a requirement. // the service was adequate

Q: How are the words 'enough' and 'sufficient' related as synonyms of 'competent'?

Enough is less exact in suggestion than sufficient . // do you have enough food?

Q: When is 'sufficient' a more appropriate choice than 'competent'?

The meanings of sufficient and competent largely overlap; however, sufficient suggests a close meeting of a need. // sufficient savings

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Synonyms & Antonyms of competent

1 having the required skills for an acceptable level of performance

any competent mechanic should be able to fix that

Synonyms for competent

Words Related to competent

overqualified

Phrases Synonymous with competent

on the ball

Near Antonyms for competent

Antonyms for competent

2 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 for competent

Words Related to competent

Near Antonyms for competent

Antonyms for competent

Frequently Asked Questions About competent

How does the adjective competent contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of competent are adequate, enough, and sufficient. While all these words mean "being what is necessary or desirable," competent suggests measuring up to all requirements without question or being adequately adapted to an end.

had no competent notion of what was going on