COMPETENT Synonyms: 111 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'competent' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of competent are adequate , enough , and sufficient . While all these words mean "being what is necessary or desirable," competent suggests measuring up to all requirements without question or being adequately adapted to an end. // had no competent notion of what was going on

Q: When could 'adequate' be used to replace 'competent'?

The words adequate and competent can be used in similar contexts, but adequate may imply barely meeting a requirement. // the service was adequate

Q: How are the words 'enough' and 'sufficient' related as synonyms of 'competent'?

Enough is less exact in suggestion than sufficient . // do you have enough food?

Q: When is 'sufficient' a more appropriate choice than 'competent'?

The meanings of sufficient and competent largely overlap; however, sufficient suggests a close meeting of a need. // sufficient savings

competent

adjective

ˈkäm-pə-tənt

Definition of competent next

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

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

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective competent contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of competent are adequate, enough, and sufficient. While all these words mean "being what is necessary or desirable," competent suggests measuring up to all requirements without question or being adequately adapted to an end.

had no competent notion of what was going on

When could adequate be used to replace competent?

The words adequate and competent can be used in similar contexts, but adequate may imply barely meeting a requirement.

the service was adequate

How are the words enough and sufficient related as synonyms of competent?

Enough is less exact in suggestion than sufficient.

do you have enough food?

When is sufficient a more appropriate choice than competent?

The meanings of sufficient and competent largely overlap; however, sufficient suggests a close meeting of a need.

sufficient savings

Examples 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 Toyota's Land Cruiser 250 was released a year ago and was already enjoyable, daring, and off-road competent. —

New Atlas, 4 Nov. 2024 Few people make it to advanced ages being perfectly competent for all activities. —

Carolyn Rosenblatt, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024 The spark that Cleveland -- which went 4-1 with Joe Flacco at the helm late last year -- is getting from Winston is the biggest reason to back Cleveland, but picking the Browns here is about more than just their suddenly competent play at QB. —

Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024 My tenure as a judge, and 25 years of experience as a prosecutor, civil practitioner and trial attorney, give me the knowledge and experience necessary to serve the people of the 10th Judicial District in a thoughtful, dedicated and competent manner. —

Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 30 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for competent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for competent

Adjective

The company's management identified a material weakness in its internal controls over financial reporting due to a lack of qualified SEC reporting professionals.

Quartz Bot, Quartz, 19 Nov. 2024
As Katy Grimes of the California Globe notes, Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislative Democrats had 10 years to deal with escalating crime, but failed to do so until Proposition 36 qualified for the November ballot.

K. Lloyd Billingsley, Orange County Register, 11 Nov. 2024