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
-
The crawlspace at Gacy’s house, masterfully recreated by the production design team, is where the victims’ journeys ended.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Oct. 2025
-
That time-out was just what was needed to establish that her show isn’t too masterfully polished.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
11 Oct. 2025
Adverb
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The six-episode limited series skillfully blends the past and the present.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Burns, who is the White House bureau chief for Politico, skillfully kept the conversation moving, but also interspersed occasional scoop-seeking questions, like whether Emanuel will run for president in 2028.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
10 Oct. 2025
Adverb
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But Miller said overtime can push pay well above six figures, and in some cases past $300,000.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
20 Oct. 2025
-
With the game well in hand, Smith was actually trying to sub Zaha out in the 90th minute (and arguably should have done so sooner).—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
19 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
And Berchtold capably taps into the raw pain underneath Paul’s party-bro exterior, rendering him pitiable if not exactly likable.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Can Bub Carrington score more efficiently and defend more capably?—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
8 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
-
A bit further from the wreckage was a leather purse, jacket and a small pair of brown heeled boots that laid neatly next to a broken and bloody plastic chair.—
Aaron Valdez,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
18 Oct. 2025
-
The agreement coincided neatly with the 10th anniversary of her brand.—
Justin Fenner,
Robb Report,
18 Oct. 2025
Adverb
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In his absence, Mac Jones, who had been labeled a bust over the last couple of years, has filled in ably and allowed the 49ers to get out to a 4-2 record.—
Robert Marvi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
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Comfortable at Versailles, devoted to his grandfather, Temple ably acquitted himself of his duties.—
Stacy Schiff,
The Atlantic,
8 Oct. 2025
Adverb
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Wondering how to expertly combine two fall fashion trends?—
Jamie Allison Sanders,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Captain Maya Le Tissier was at the heart of their steely backline, which midfielders Hinata Miyazawa and Julia Zigiotti Olme expertly screened.—
Tamerra Griffin,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Competently.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/competently. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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