Synonym Chooser

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

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

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?

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

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 competent Parts of Beirut seem to have been written off, after a series of disasters even a minimally competent government could have averted. Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025 Zechariah Poyser and Jakobe Thomas should, at the very least, be a competent tandem. Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 1 Sep. 2025 Gina Swoboda has proven to be a strong and competent leader of the Arizona Republican Party. Joanna Allhands, AZCentral.com, 29 Aug. 2025 And still, the writing is somehow more competent than the direction. Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 26 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for competent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for competent
Adjective
  • This memo defined preferential treatment as providing opportunities that disadvantages other qualified persons.
    Eric Wood, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
  • The defending world champions had already qualified for the 2026 World Cup, but Thursday was a celebration of Messi’s sterling international career.
    Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Efficient, neat, always available as a means of compensating for her (completely justified) fear of not being a brilliant enough copywriter.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Sep. 2025
  • And this is only the energy aspect, water and land use further add to the cluster of justified environmental concern.
    Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Questions over the midfielder being a suitable captain arose when his form dipped in the 2024-25 season.
    Art de Roché, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
  • This long-sleeve dress is suitable for multiple occasions and easy to style.
    Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Fleetwood’s victory was well earned and well deserved.
    Sheldon H. Jacobson, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025
  • This One is Personal is a testament to Tiwa’s deserved longevity, and now that the singer-songwriter is 45 years old.
    Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Monday's test was the ninth of the engine built with carbon fiber and capable of producing 1,971 kilonewtons of thrust, more powerful than past models, according to the North's official Korean Central News Agency.
    Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Jerome Ford is not a feature back and should be demoted once Judkins proves capable at pass protection and blitz pickups after missing all of training camp.
    Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Real estate experts say claiming primary residences on different mortgages at the same time is often legal and rarely prosecuted.
    Robert Faturechi, ProPublica, 6 Sep. 2025
  • The brutality of the Ukrainian frontline The challenges facing foreign volunteer fighters on the battlefield extend well beyond their legal label.
    Rebecca Johns, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • There is a duty of care not to use data for the sake of it, but rather to ensure that analysis stands up to proper scrutiny and scientific rigour where possible.
    Mark Carey, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Leaving clean laundry in the dryer or hamper only puts off a chore until later, keeps clean clothes from its proper place, and also risks wrinkles or someone accidentally mistaking it for dirty laundry instead.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 6 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Competent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/competent. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

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