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 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
Power loves a vacuum, and Valerie competently steps in to work with other professionals and guide the process to good, if not great, success.
—Jennifer Silverman, Rolling Stone, 29 Mar. 2026
But the speed and the solidarity with which states came forward suggest the states don’t feel like the DOJ acted competently.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Wrike is a deeply customizable project management app that competently handles everything from building forms to proofing, though its costs can be high.
—Ruben Circelli, PC Magazine, 10 Mar. 2026
Nevertheless, Mustaine’s leadership ensures that Megadeth has all the hallmarks of a competently forgettable Megadeth album.
—Eli Enis, Pitchfork, 26 Jan. 2026
Public programs retain support only when voters believe they are competently managed, and this story suggests the opposite.
—Matt K. Lewis, Mercury News, 13 Jan. 2026
But the price tag will rise by another $10 billion, the completion date will be pushed off to 2050, and people will begin to fondly reminisce about how competently the Big Dig project was run.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
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
Power loves a vacuum, and Valerie competently steps in to work with other professionals and guide the process to good, if not great, success.
—Jennifer Silverman, Rolling Stone, 29 Mar. 2026
But the speed and the solidarity with which states came forward suggest the states don’t feel like the DOJ acted competently.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Wrike is a deeply customizable project management app that competently handles everything from building forms to proofing, though its costs can be high.
—Ruben Circelli, PC Magazine, 10 Mar. 2026
Nevertheless, Mustaine’s leadership ensures that Megadeth has all the hallmarks of a competently forgettable Megadeth album.
—Eli Enis, Pitchfork, 26 Jan. 2026
Public programs retain support only when voters believe they are competently managed, and this story suggests the opposite.
—Matt K. Lewis, Mercury News, 13 Jan. 2026
But the price tag will rise by another $10 billion, the completion date will be pushed off to 2050, and people will begin to fondly reminisce about how competently the Big Dig project was run.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for competently
Adverb
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This contemporary-style home masterfully bridges the indoor and outdoor living experiences.—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
12 Apr. 2026
-
The Nosferatu actor has been masterfully dodging questions about the franchise since.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Gorton skillfully depicts the grueling decades-long struggle of Sanger (the icon, in this telling) and Dennett (the idealist) to make birth control available and legal, as well as their interpersonal competition for power and influence.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Adriana Lambarri’s costumes skillfully replicate the actor’s garb in the film while composer/sound designer Jazer Sibley-Schwartz channels at the outset a knowing nod to John Williams’ indelible, two-note cadence of menacing notes announcing the shark’s arrival.—
Christopher Smith,
Oc Register,
10 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
And the Knicks better be ready, ready for the Celtics to attempt to exact some revenge for the way things ended a season ago.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
10 Apr. 2026
-
This will better set you up to have a productive conversation with your stepdaughter about what everyone expects going forward.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Apr. 2026
Adverb
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Apple's iMac is the pre-eminent all-in-one on the market, a stylish and slick computer that's designed for creative work but capably handles entertainment and productivity as well.—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The Broncos are high on rising third-year tackle Frank Crum, who filled in capably in spot snaps in 2025 when McGlinchey was temporarily banged up.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
7 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Students who are not reading proficiently by third grade are far less likely to graduate from high school, and more likely to wind up incarcerated.—
Daniel L Gordon,
Daily News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
All three of her children are now reading proficiently and practice their skills every night.—
Lina Ruiz,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
None of those things fit neatly into a 30-second video clip.—
Rep. Nick Menapace,
Hartford Courant,
8 Apr. 2026
-
This rhetoric neatly aligns with choice feminism, but the conversation feels similarly labyrinthine.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Saturday’s second episode, for which ratings dipped slightly, featured a cold open roasting the former Prince Andrew and was ably steered by host Jamie Dornan, who appeared in sketches including a horror comedy about Jools Holland.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
30 Mar. 2026
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String player Matt Worley often stole the spotlight, making his banjo sound like a mandolin, while cellist Barney Morse-Brown ably covered the bass role, plucking the strings more often than bowing them.—
Thor Christensen,
Dallas Morning News,
19 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
As my colleague Zach Harper expertly pointed out Wednesday, the rule itself — mandating that any player eligible for a postseason award must play 65 games in a season — looks pretty dumb right now.—
Chris Branch,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2026
-
With breezy maxi skirts, flattering barrel jeans, buttery soft cashmere cardigans, and classic boxy tees, the selection feels expertly curated for easy dressing.—
Tanya Sharma,
PEOPLE,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Competently.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/competently. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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