How to Use ability in a Sentence

ability

noun
  • She has shown some ability with foreign languages.
  • Not all kids learn at the same speed and have the same ability.
    — Niraj Warikoo, Detroit Free Press, 26 May 2023
  • Now, just trying to go out there and win the game and play to the best of my ability.
    — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2022
  • The ability to create pathways for work in wages and wealth are on the line.
    — ABC News, 28 July 2024
  • This feature gives the knife the ability to cut deep roots or tough stems.
    — Andrea Wurzburger, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2023
  • The ability of front-row passengers to stream and watch videos on the LED screen.
    — Morgan Korn, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2023
  • But after that, not playing to the best of my abilities.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2024
  • During the trip, he was mesmerized by the view — and by Lane’s ability to tell time by the sun.
    — Alena Naiden, Anchorage Daily News, 28 July 2023
  • The one feature the Bucks possess over the Celtics is the ability to remain themselves.
    — Gary Washburn, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Mar. 2023
  • Rolf and Inge no longer have the ability to manage their country house.
    — Alissa Simon, Variety, 16 Feb. 2025
  • He’s one of the most accurate quarterbacks in the sport, with an ability to close games out that few in the sport have.
    — Andrew Gillis, cleveland, 7 Oct. 2022
  • Mac computers have had the ability to sync with iPhones for years.
    — WIRED, 2 Oct. 2022
  • Once the team flipped that switch, the female flies had the ability to just do the whole reproduction thing on their own.
    — Jackie Appel, Popular Mechanics, 27 July 2023
  • Microsoft is in the center of much of the ability to defend.
    — WIRED, 2 Nov. 2023
  • In his prime, Graham was a lethal red zone weapon, thanks to his size (6-foot-7) and leaping ability.
    — Cydney Henderson, USA TODAY, 19 Aug. 2023
  • Gauff has a unique ability to draw energy from a crowd, and they from her.
    — Abby Aguirre, Vogue, 6 Mar. 2024
  • This swing also has a unique ability to provide a sense of calm.
    — Laura Lu, Ms, Parents, 6 Mar. 2024
  • So that afforded him the ability to take some low blows.
    — Marlow Stern, Rolling Stone, 8 Mar. 2023
  • Lanning’s defense hasn’t been elite in any facet outside of its ability to stop the run.
    — oregonlive, 21 Oct. 2022
  • Some of the blame for the marginal cooling ability of the A/C must go to the Samurai's convertible top.
    — Csaba Csere, Car and Driver, 5 Jan. 2023
  • One of them is the ability to refit and retool inside Gaza.
    — ABC News, 26 Nov. 2023
  • This gives them the ability to add more value to their services for their clientele.
    — Jon Stojan, USA TODAY, 2 Sep. 2023
  • The ability and endurance of what my leg will do going forward will never be the same.
    — Adam Woodard, The Arizona Republic, 4 Apr. 2023
  • In terms of its sweat-blocking abilities, this one’s a winner.
    — Lacey Muinos, Health, 25 May 2023
  • The poll is the latest to track pessimism among Republicans about Ukraine’s ability to win the war.
    — Adam Taylor, Washington Post, 12 Jan. 2023
  • Those teams are concerned about their ability to market their players and teams in light of Morant’s video.
    — oregonlive, 15 May 2023
  • Luck’s ability to energize athletes, fans, and donors could play a large part in that process.
    — Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 30 Nov. 2024
  • Ohtani has the ability to win games both on the mound and at the plate, factors no other player brings to Major League Baseball.
    — Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes, 10 Nov. 2022
  • The plot device of psychic abilities being tied to (and lost with) virginity is ridiculous, sexist, and better forgotten.
    — EW.com, 23 Mar. 2025
  • The ability to learn from missteps and continue forward is often what separates successful innovators from the rest.
    — Mark Nevins, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ability.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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