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
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
And why can’t the state competently handle major tech projects?
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 30 Nov. 2025
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
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
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
And why can’t the state competently handle major tech projects?
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 30 Nov. 2025
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for competently
Adverb
-
All of it proved how masterfully the chefs have managed to combine the flavors of distinct world cultures.—
Food Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
-
As the more mercurial of the two, Culkin masterfully navigates an excellent character arc, taking an outspoken nuisance and giving him thoughtful nuance on a Holocaust tour.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
4 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
With the Ducks in desperation mode, Kreider skillfully redirected Jacob Trouba’s shot from the point for the 21st goal of his first season with Anaheim.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
-
With the Ducks in desperation mode, Kreider skillfully redirected Jacob Trouba's shot from the point for the 21st goal of his first season with Anaheim.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
7 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
The ensemble is so well put together, however, that one’s interest never lags.—
Graham Hillard,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
-
There is a growing perception that some schools are frequently tampering and that knowledge compels other schools to tamper as well to avoid being placed at a competitive disadvantage.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
12 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
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
-
The wacky characters and stretchy action of the franchise were capably brought to life in a candy-colored world, and it was renewed for a second season almost immediately.—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
6 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Perhaps the most controversial policy is holding back third graders who cannot read proficiently.—
Theara Coleman,
TheWeek,
14 Jan. 2026
-
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
Adverb
-
To these critics, the pitfalls of feminist politics—that jealously guarded privileges of race and class keep women from uniting in the interests of their gender—are neatly symbolized in Stanton’s story.—
Moira Donegan,
New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2026
-
At its end, Páez framed the debate neatly.—
Emiliano de Pablos,
Variety,
11 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Sherri arose in 2022 after Shepherd ably filled in for Wendy Williams at the end of that show’s run.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Marcus Smart, who didn’t take a shot in the first three quarters, ably stepped into an open corner three in the fourth for the first of his seven points down the stretch.—
Dan Woike,
New York Times,
21 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
Here are details on the most mouth-watering drizzles of Asian sesame dressing, and the sad pours that are sure to wreck even the most expertly made food.—
Jolene Thym,
Mercury News,
3 Mar. 2026
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The difference between dancers executing steps expertly and accurately and dancers truly dancing depends on an alchemy of light, costumes, dancers, choreography, audience, and the whole spirit of the production.—
Jennifer Homans,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Competently.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/competently. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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