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as in power
a natural ability of the mind or body although they are well into their 80s, the mental faculties of this couple are as sharp as ever

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun faculty differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of faculty are aptitude, bent, genius, gift, knack, and talent. While all these words mean "a special ability for doing something," faculty applies to an innate or less often acquired ability for a particular accomplishment or function.

a faculty for remembering names

When would aptitude be a good substitute for faculty?

The words aptitude and faculty can be used in similar contexts, but aptitude implies a natural liking for some activity and the likelihood of success in it.

a mechanical aptitude

How are the words bent and aptitude related as synonyms of faculty?

Bent is nearly equal to aptitude but it stresses inclination perhaps more than specific ability.

a family with an artistic bent

In what contexts can genius take the place of faculty?

While the synonyms genius and faculty are close in meaning, genius suggests impressive inborn creative ability.

has no great genius for poetry

When could gift be used to replace faculty?

The meanings of gift and faculty largely overlap; however, gift often implies special favor by God or nature.

the gift of singing beautifully

When might knack be a better fit than faculty?

The words knack and faculty are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, knack implies a comparatively minor but special ability making for ease and dexterity in performance.

the knack of getting along

When is talent a more appropriate choice than faculty?

Although the words talent and faculty have much in common, talent suggests a marked natural ability that needs to be developed.

has enough talent to succeed

Example Sentences

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 faculty Interviews with more than 20 graduate students, faculty members and university administrators at UW describe a research hub thrown into chaos. Evan Bush, NBC news, 8 May 2025 Campuses should be hotbeds of political and philosophical debate — places where students and faculty feel free to express themselves, regardless of whether their opinions are popular. David Paterson, New York Daily News, 7 May 2025 Accreditation bodies and state boards also vary in their recognition and expectations of virtual learning modalities, requiring faculty and administrators to be agile in program design and delivery. Forbes.com, 1 May 2025 Flowers is the division head of cancer medicine at MD Anderson Cancer Center, overseeing 16 medical oncology departments, composed of roughly 450 faculty members and 3,000 employees. Alexis Kayser, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for faculty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for faculty
Noun
  • The way their dynamic is structured, Colin fears that one wrong move could bring things to an end, which merely reinforces Ray’s power over him.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 18 May 2025
  • At the time of writing, some 50,000 were still without power in Missouri, according to PowerOutage.us, a service that tracks disruptions.
    Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 May 2025
Noun
  • The literary character and his team combine their talents to investigate the root causes of patients' dilemmas, with each episode mixing medical and mystery.
    Christopher Rudolph, People.com, 12 May 2025
  • For international film journalists, the festival is an opportunity to see and discuss these films and, in that context, interview these talents.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 12 May 2025
Noun
  • Far more recently, Quakers sued the federal government earlier this year over immigration agents' ability to make arrests at houses of worship.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 11 May 2025
  • More recently, Quakers sued the federal government this year over federal immigration agents’ ability to make arrests at houses of worship.
    Luis Andres Henao, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2025
Noun
  • While Washington demands a total halt to Iran's enrichment capabilities, Tehran is vowing to continue its program regardless of any agreement.
    Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025
  • The bank said the disruptions in search traffic are likely to become permanent as Google integrates full artificial intelligence search capabilities.
    Michelle Fox, CNBC, 19 May 2025
Noun
  • Judging by the untended blisters on his knuckles and palms, however, Enzo doesn’t show much aptitude for it — to the extent that his supervisor drives the boy home one day to speak with his parents, surprised to discover that Enzo lives in a posh home with ocean views and a private pool.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 14 May 2025
  • Hiring focuses on ability and aptitude, in companies that are focused on growth.
    Chris Westfall, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
Noun
  • Here is a comparisons of the Qatari plane versus Air Force One based on publicly available information: Boeing 747-200B v. Boeing 747-8 Air Force One is a Boeing 747-200B, which has increased fuel capacity and more powerful engines than the standard 747-200.
    Joey Garrison, USA Today, 15 May 2025
  • The government shouldn’t eliminate or hobble the federal disaster-response infrastructure — but also, states can do more to prepare for and respond to disasters, such as investing in climate resilience and expanding their emergency management capacity.
    Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2025
Noun
  • Every year, teachers help families with Christmas gifts and Thanksgiving dinners, Liggins said.
    Silas Allen, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 May 2025
  • The pope has always had a gift for diplomacy and working peacefully with all kinds of people, said his oldest brother, 73-year-old Louis Prevost of Florida, during an interview with the Tribune earlier this month.
    Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 21 May 2025
Noun
  • Legendary’s Mary Parent, who has a knack for fanboy properties like Dune and the Monsterverse, was brought on board to propel Minecraft to the next level.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 11 May 2025
  • Though to be fair, her husband has a knack for saying the wrong thing at the wrong time.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 8 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Faculty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/faculty. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

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