COMPETENTLY Synonyms: 36 Similar and Opposite Words

competently

adverb

Definition of competently

as in masterfully

in a skillful or expert manner performed the piece at least competently, if not superbly

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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 competently Unless operated competently such missiles may be worse than useless. — David Hambling, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026 The real issue is whether AI is being implemented transparently, responsibly and accountably — and whether regulators themselves understand these systems well enough to govern them competently. — Sreedhar Potarazu, Baltimore Sun, 14 June 2026 Mark Beare, head of consumer business at cybersecurity firm Malwarebytes, also notes that employees would need to have confidence that an AI agent responding to coworkers and clients on their behalf can be counted on to act competently and professionally. — Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 8 June 2026 Why can’t San Francisco’s officials competently replace its trash cans? — Steven Greenhut, Washington Post, 6 May 2026 Outlays old and new need to be justified and competently managed. — Editorial, Boston Herald, 17 Apr. 2026 Artificial intelligence is also increasingly capable of operating machinery competently and autonomously, from cars to drones and cameras. — Christye Sisson, The Conversation, 13 Apr. 2026 The shots are competently composed, the lighting bright, the beats familiar and unchallenging in any way. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 9 Apr. 2026 However, the larger question is whether San Diegans should trust anyone at City Hall, starting with Mayor Gloria and City Attorney Heather Ferbert, to competently manage anything. — Hal Valderhaug, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for competently

Adverb

The Hisense 65-inch E7 Series masterfully blends MiniLED precision with 144-hertz gaming performance.

— Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 11 Aug. 2026
That was the trademark philosophy of legendary interior designer Albert Hadley, who masterfully shaped high-society taste for decades.

— Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of masterfully

Adverb

Bryant capably replaced Will Campbell as the starting left tackle for one practice, and continues to be solid in 1-on-1 pass rush.

— Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 6 Aug. 2026
His professional background is in private equity, and LAFC, the team he's been with since its founding in 2014, which is widely regarded as one of the most capably run franchises in MLS.

— Becky Sullivan, NPR, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of capably

Adverb

The initiative comes as only about 35% of APS third graders are reading proficiently.

— Jamal Goss, CBS News, 4 Aug. 2026
Nunez has heard of other writers who proficiently multitask, setting down a partial manuscript while starting another, interspersing it all with stories and essays.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 July 2026

Definition of proficiently

Adverb

Today, this stand is named in honour of Wolves’ legendary goalscorer Steve Bull and dovetails neatly with the rest of an impressive venue that spent the past nine years in the Premier League.

— Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
Israeli soldiers then arrived in two vehicles and tore it down, but left the blue tarp canopy neatly folded on the ground rather than confiscating it.

— Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of neatly

Adverb

Cusick and Kretschmann offer complementary chords of variable petulance and insecurity, as newcomer Cuoso ably negotiates her character’s shifting ambiguities.

— Dennis Harvey, Variety, 31 July 2026
The kitchen is ably led by former River Café head chef Danny Bohan, whose menu draws on French and Italian culinary traditions with highlights like Dorset crab with tomatoes and aioli and sea bass carpaccio.

— Joanne Shurvell, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of ably

Adverb

The All Blacks' set-piece was reliable and inside backs Josh Jacomb, Anton Lienert-Brown and Ioane expertly set up chances wide out.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
But Hathaway is the glue that holds both movies together, expertly charting Andy's journey from reluctant assistant to ruthless ladder climber to crusading editor.

— Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of expertly

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competent

competently

competes

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“Competently.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/competently. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of competently

adverb

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