as in ability
the physical or mental power to do something
questioned his competence to finish the task without help
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of competence
Where dictators of the past tried to impose a national ideology, today’s autocrats focus on projecting a sense of competence.
—
Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 2 Apr. 2025
Democrats express outrage, Republicans left red-faced Democrats, who have often charged that Trump lacks basic competence, seized on the story.
—Niall Stanage, The Hill, 24 Mar. 2025
Dimon emphasized that competence in one area doesn’t always translate to effective leadership.
—Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Fass is steadfast that wisdom, competence, and innovative thinking have no age boundaries.
—Dan Pontefract, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for competence
Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 2 Apr. 2025
Democrats express outrage, Republicans left red-faced Democrats, who have often charged that Trump lacks basic competence, seized on the story.
—Niall Stanage, The Hill, 24 Mar. 2025
Dimon emphasized that competence in one area doesn’t always translate to effective leadership.
—Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Fass is steadfast that wisdom, competence, and innovative thinking have no age boundaries.
—Dan Pontefract, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for competence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for competence
Noun
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At the heart of that debate is a nearly century-old legal precedent: Humphrey’s Executor v. United States, a 1935 Supreme Court ruling that limited the President’s ability to remove leaders of independent agencies without cause.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
17 Apr. 2025
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Corbell noted the footage shows the objects do not have a wing or tail, raising questions regarding the aircraft’s ability to fly.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Lithium-sulfur would cost $4,500 for a battery with the same capacity.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
24 Mar. 2025
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With capacity for only 14,000 fans, demand can more easily outstrip supply.—
Michael McGough and,
Sacramento Bee,
24 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
In recent years, Western policymakers have become particularly concerned about the capabilities of Russia and China to exploit the vulnerabilities of undersea cables.—
John Calabrese,
The Conversation,
10 Apr. 2025
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Barber also said its completion marked a new level of repair capabilities for advanced stealth fighters.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Wyle has plenty of experience projecting competency after playing the emergency physician John Carter for most of ER’s run.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
28 Mar. 2025
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With more competency at quarterback, New York has the pieces and assets for a successful reboot.—
Ben Standig,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Competence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/competence. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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