Synonyms of faculty

faculty

noun

ˈfa-kəl-tē 

1

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

• power
• capability
• capacity
• instinct
• function
• endowment
• aptitude
• gift
• talent
• flair
• genius
• knack

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• incapacity
• inability
• incapability
• inaptitude
• ineptness
• inaptness

2

as in talent

a special and usually inborn ability

even when he was still at a young age, John Singleton Copley's artistic faculties were readily recognizable

Synonyms & Similar Words

• talent
• aptitude
• gift
• knack
• endowment
• flair
• genius
• bent
• affinity
• tendency
• eye
• ear
• mind
• head
• inclination
• capacity
• feel
• disposition
• skill
• facility
• predisposition
• impulse
• instinct
• competence
• bias
• partiality
• predilection
• propensity
• capability
• proficiency
• nose
• touch
• penchant
• power
• proclivity
• potential
• way
• turn
• specialty
• leaning
• habitude
• speciality
• hang
• specialism
• forte

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disability
• inability
• handicap
• incapacity
• weakness
• shortcoming

3

as in ability

the physical or mental power to do something

the belief that if someone loses their sight, all of their other physical faculties are heightened

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ability
• capacity
• capability
• talent
• aptitude
• competence
• competency
• capableness
• skill
• endowment
• facility
• equipment
• gift
• reason
• instinct
• resources
• understanding
• intelligence
• knack
• prowess
• address
• fitness
• dexterity
• gray matter
• aptness
• influence
• adroitness
• usefulness
• resourcefulness
• staying power
• potency
• means
• effectiveness
• adequacy
• ken
• deftness
• hand
• stuff
• might
• wherewithal
• form
• effectualness
• puissance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disability
• inability
• incapacity
• incompetency
• incompetence
• ineptitude
• paralysis
• incapability
• ineptness
• impotence
• helplessness
• powerlessness
• weakness
• deficiency
• inadequacy
• incapableness
• impairment
• ineffectiveness
• inefficacy
• uselessness
• ineffectuality
• defectiveness
• incapacitation
• disablement
• debilitation
• ineffectualness
• inadequateness
• inefficaciousness

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

Recent Examples of faculty

Senior faculty were more likely than younger educators to report being bullied by students over grades. — Jason Walker, The Conversation, 3 Nov. 2026

At Ohio Northern University, at least one member of the faculty now meets with every visiting applicant. — Jon Marcus, NPR, 2 Nov. 2026

This article was produced by Harvard Business School Working Knowledge and features the insights of faculty member Joseph Pacelli. — Jay Fitzgerald, Harvard Business Review, 2 Nov. 2026

The funding would also support faculty positions as the university pursues Carnegie Research 1 university status, Hahn said. — Harllie Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 30 Oct. 2026