as in masterfully
in a skillful or expert manner
performed the piece at least competently, if not superbly
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Recent Examples of competently
On the Longhorns’ lone scoring drive, Manning performs competently, but running back Quintrevion Wisner does the heavy lifting with a 37-yard run.
—
Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Oct. 2025
The selling point of the Conjurings is that they are competently made haunted house movies that reliably feature good set pieces.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2025
The canine, named Charlie, was captured competently pulling the cover off an outdoor paddling pool, all by himself while his owner was away.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
Newsom is a lackluster governor who has doubled down on progressive policies and has failed to competently address California’s myriad crises.
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 22 Aug. 2025
The complaints also said Streich failed to act competently, failed to return the client's property, charged unreasonable fees and provided false information to the Board of Professional Responsibility.
—Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 20 Aug. 2025
For example, those remote supervisors will need training, but that’s likely to be far less extensive and costly than the training required to competently fly an aircraft.
—IEEE Spectrum, 17 June 2025
Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Oct. 2025
The selling point of the Conjurings is that they are competently made haunted house movies that reliably feature good set pieces.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2025
The canine, named Charlie, was captured competently pulling the cover off an outdoor paddling pool, all by himself while his owner was away.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
Newsom is a lackluster governor who has doubled down on progressive policies and has failed to competently address California’s myriad crises.
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 22 Aug. 2025
The complaints also said Streich failed to act competently, failed to return the client's property, charged unreasonable fees and provided false information to the Board of Professional Responsibility.
—Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 20 Aug. 2025
For example, those remote supervisors will need training, but that’s likely to be far less extensive and costly than the training required to competently fly an aircraft.
—IEEE Spectrum, 17 June 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for competently
Adverb
-
Vercellino later founded The Lion Heart Experience, a touring company composed of his former students that masterfully fuses storytelling, original music, and painting to inspire self-worth in young audiences.—
Kris Ann Valdez,
Parents,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Miškinis and writer Eglė Vertelytė (who adapts Rimantas Kmita’s semi-autobiographical novel) masterfully dodge genre tropes, avoiding confining their characters to simplistic labels and keeping the focus of their arcs self-motivated.—
Courtney Howard,
Variety,
30 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
The hotel, which cinched a Michelin Key this year, has 65 rooms and suites that skillfully combine historic Victorian style with modern touches.—
Cat Sposato,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Nov. 2025
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And when wielded skillfully, the very tools that mislead us can help us out of this conundrum.—
Nadav Ziv,
Time,
23 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
Strength, endurance, agility and mental toughness are tested in constantly changing combinations designed to reward the most well-rounded performers.—
NWA Democrat-Gazette,
Arkansas Online,
10 Nov. 2025
-
In Southern cuisine, a main dish is best complemented by a host of incredible side dishes.—
Patricia S York,
Southern Living,
9 Nov. 2025
Adverb
-
Jimmy Graham and others manned the position capably over the subsequent years, but Kraft was on another level.—
Mike Sando,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
-
However, Poland stressed that its planes handled the situation capably and effectively, and that there was no further cause for concern.—
Peter Aitken,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
Over 75% of the student body at Eastway speaks a first language other than English, with many students who do not yet speak English proficiently.—
Rebecca Noel,
Charlotte Observer,
4 Sep. 2025
-
In an October news release announcing the partnership, district officials said the long-term goal will focus on ensuring all students can read proficiently by third grade and pave the way for success for the rest of their academic careers.—
Lina Ruiz,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
And for looking put-together post-red-eye, the Niasso Portable Travel Steamer is $23 (originally $36) and tucks neatly into a weekender.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Nov. 2025
-
But Heberlig argued the transportation debate didn’t break down neatly along partisan lines.—
Nora O'Neill,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Nov. 2025
Adverb
-
Veteran offseason free-agent addition Jaylon Moore took his place, starting ably for the Chiefs in victories over the Lions and, in last Sunday’s Week 7 matchup, the Las Vegas Raiders.—
Pete Sweeney,
Kansas City Star,
23 Oct. 2025
-
In Purdy's absence, Mac Jones, who had been branded as a bust over the previous couple of seasons, has filled in ably.—
Robert Marvi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
Green expertly applies fake eyelashes, thick foundation and a dessert brown eye look, while Messina goes to work piling tight curls atop my head.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Its gentle formula expertly breaks down makeup without leaving my skin feeling dry and tight.—
Clara McMahon,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Competently.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/competently. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
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