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
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
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
-
There are multiple styles too, like those in which the handles swapped leather for shiny metals, adding a contemporary twist and masterfully pairing with the models’ midi skirts, playful outerwear clad in primary colors, and preppy tailoring.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
30 Sep. 2025
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The collector sought letters, manuscripts and research by Turner's predecessors, contemporaries, champions and even an art student who could masterfully copy his pieces.—
Domenica Bongiovanni,
IndyStar,
26 Sep. 2025
Adverb
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The charcoal drawing Anoma Kole Kole, 2023–24, for instance, skillfully weaves a blueprint of colonial infrastructure with images of the Africans who built transit systems.—
Edna Bonhomme,
Artforum,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Hauge skillfully evaded Porro for both of his goals.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Adverb
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These unpressurized parts of a plane lack oxygen and can reach temperatures well below freezing, sometimes to minus 80 degrees Fahrenheit.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
29 Sep. 2025
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The slow start that Mayfield is alluding to has to do with the Buccaneers only scoring two field goals through the first half, and scoring their first touchdown well into the third quarter.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Sep. 2025
Adverb
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But Burrow is sidelined for weeks after toe surgery, and the Broncos will see Browning in his stead on Monday night, a longtime backup who capably filled in for Burrow over seven starts in 2023.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Vince, a recovering addict with a scraggly beard, starts too grimy for the actor to capably sell.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
18 Sep. 2025
Adverb
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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
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The star winger held off a defender before bringing a long pass down neatly with her first touch, and then turning to play a pass to Zaneratto in on goal.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
27 Sep. 2025
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Despite being less tightly curated and neatly packaged as the first game, Hades II is an absolute masterstroke.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
27 Sep. 2025
Adverb
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As for the sport itself, Safdie illustrates it ably but impersonally.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Purdy missed Week 2 due to a toe injury, and QB2 Mac Jones filled in ably by completing 26 of 39 pass attempts and throwing for 279 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.—
Robert Marvi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
Long nozzles shoot out fiberglass, which is then chopped into one-inch pieces; following behind the person wielding the nozzle is someone else with a tool that looks like a paint roller, which blends the resin and fiberglass expertly to remove any surface disruptions.—
Kristin Shaw,
Popular Science,
24 Sep. 2025
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From Aero to strength to yoga, the classes are all well-structured and expertly led.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
23 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Competently.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/competently. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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