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
Relevance
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
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 competent
Working with competent logistics and shipping partners will give you access to detailed information about compliance and about duties and taxes in each marketplace.
—
Greg Hewitt, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
But its excellent mopping capabilities, competent obstacle avoidance, powerful 8,500-Pa suction and brilliant handling of long hair make this feel much more like a premium option.
—New Atlas, 10 May 2025
He was declared competent to stand trial in January after months at a state hospital.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 8 May 2025
It was created to address the gaps in skin care and help communities of color have better access to culturally competent providers.
—Alexandria Nyembwe, Health, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for competent
Greg Hewitt, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
But its excellent mopping capabilities, competent obstacle avoidance, powerful 8,500-Pa suction and brilliant handling of long hair make this feel much more like a premium option.
—New Atlas, 10 May 2025
He was declared competent to stand trial in January after months at a state hospital.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 8 May 2025
It was created to address the gaps in skin care and help communities of color have better access to culturally competent providers.
—Alexandria Nyembwe, Health, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for competent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for competent
Adjective
-
The last time Norway qualified for the World Cup was back in 1998, but the team also has rarely had a player like Erling Haaland, who is the all-time leading goal scorer for the team despite only beginning his national team career in 2019.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 June 2025
-
The team – currently ranked 57th in the world – also qualified for the Olympic Games for the first time in 2024, claiming one of Asia’s three berths.—
Hassan Tayir,
CNN Money,
6 June 2025
Adjective
-
The justified accusation that the carbon footprint of a child from a rich nation was gigantic compared to that of a child from a poorer nation (except those from elite families) thickening the political smog obscuring the raw ecological toll of adding eighty million a year to the human population.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2025
-
Penalized For all the justified focus on the offense, the Padres’ season has largely been a tale of two bullpens.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 May 2025
Adjective
-
Time for Thorough Searches: Interim appointments allow boards the necessary time to conduct comprehensive searches for suitable permanent leaders.—
Solange Charas,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
-
This work will reveal insights about the quasi-moon and help the team select a suitable sampling site.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
29 May 2025
Adjective
-
Expect kudos, rewards and deserved acknowledgement!—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
12 May 2025
-
But there is also the fact that Bayern lost their record dominance in the Champions League group stage, and although the club put up a good fight, the exit against Inter Milan was more than deserved.—
Manuel Veth,
Forbes.com,
3 May 2025
Adjective
-
For many, this process leads to an enhanced sense of empowerment—feeling more connected to one’s authentic self, and more capable of navigating life’s challenges.—
Matt Rozo,
Mercury News,
1 June 2025
-
If the weekend had gone differently, and Venis was the one on the outside, would Jeff have been capable of killing him?—
Selome Hailu,
Variety,
31 May 2025
Adjective
-
But employers already have a wide array of other legal tools to safeguard sensitive data, and noncompete agreements add very little to these protections.—
Sam Peak,
Sun Sentinel,
1 June 2025
-
In order to pay his legal costs, AJ prepares to sell off some of his assets, which include the Airbnb.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
1 June 2025
Adjective
-
The parliamentarian is the chamber's adviser on its proper rules and procedures.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 June 2025
-
There could be a defense explaining it and somehow providing the proper framework for understanding it.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Competent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/competent. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share