1
as in qualified
having the required skills for an acceptable level of performance
any competent mechanic should be able to fix that
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in justified
being what is called for by accepted standards of right and wrong
the arbiter has all the necessary information to make a competent decision on the matter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of competent
And when patients are finally seen, the care itself might not be competent.
—
Rebecca Nagle, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2025
After seven hours of watching these people lumber around this fragile world, no one stands out as competent enough or sinister enough to commit a murder on purpose.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 31 Mar. 2025
To ensure competent engagement in critical AI governance decisions, effective directors require at least a foundational level of AI competency, if not more.
—John M. Bremen, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
And the American people should be grateful to these individuals and especially to President Trump for putting together such a competent and highly qualified team who are killing terrorists that the Biden administration allowed to run wild in the Middle East.
—Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for competent
Rebecca Nagle, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2025
After seven hours of watching these people lumber around this fragile world, no one stands out as competent enough or sinister enough to commit a murder on purpose.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 31 Mar. 2025
To ensure competent engagement in critical AI governance decisions, effective directors require at least a foundational level of AI competency, if not more.
—John M. Bremen, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
And the American people should be grateful to these individuals and especially to President Trump for putting together such a competent and highly qualified team who are killing terrorists that the Biden administration allowed to run wild in the Middle East.
—Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for competent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for competent
Adjective
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However, there aren’t many qualified factory workers without jobs.—
Megan Poinski,
Forbes.com,
7 Apr. 2025
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Contributions are only tax deductible if made to a qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.—
John W. Dean,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The Trump administration has argued that the invocation of the law is a justified, lawful, and protects US interests.—
Peter Charalambous,
ABC News,
31 Mar. 2025
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The United States has a justified and moral argument to never negotiate with terrorists.—
Askold Haywas,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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This lightweight and very liquid formula is suitable for all skin types.—
Nora Colomer,
FOXNews.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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This content is not, nor is intended to be, trading or investment advice or a recommendation that any investment product or strategy is suitable for any person.—
JJ Kinahan,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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But after two deserved demotions, Poitras is anything but a sure NHL thing.—
Fluto Shinzawa,
The Athletic,
18 Mar. 2025
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The internet is demanding justice for a dog who was snubbed from a rightfully deserved treat after her owner got distracted.—
William Lambers,
Newsweek,
10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Our objective is to cultivate a movement that’s capable of persuading as many Americans as possible to support sane, rational, and morally upstanding policy.—
Noah Rothman,
National Review,
2 Apr. 2025
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An object reaching a 10 on the Torino Scale would be a collision capable of causing a global catastrophe.—
Amanda Kooser,
Forbes.com,
2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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American history itself documents the shifting boundaries of racial categories, a legal as well as a social status in the United States.—
Jason D. Greenblatt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Apr. 2025
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Rest assured, most aspects of diversity, equity and inclusion work are legal; yet at this moment, even using the DEI acronym in public-facing material could be seen as risky or placing an unnecessary spotlight on the work.—
Julie Kratz,
Forbes.com,
2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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In the case filed with the Singapore High Court, the elder Kwek accused Sherman of instigating a boardroom coup by appointing two new board members without proper vetting by the nomination committee.—
Jonathan Burgos,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
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Nitrous oxide inactivates vitamin B12 in the body, a crucial nutrient for the formation of red blood cells and the proper functioning of the nervous system.—
Ella Jeffries,
Smithsonian Magazine,
8 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Competent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/competent. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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