ability

noun

ə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce ability (audio)
Definition of abilitynext
as in capability
the physical or mental power to do something as a result of the accident the once-vigorous athlete lost the ability to walk

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 ability He’s widely respected in the clubhouse for his work ethic and ability to connect with different players. — Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 26 July 2026 The deliveries represent a major milestone for Scorpius, a next-gen US accelerator designed to support advanced nuclear research and improve scientists’ ability to study subcritical experiments. — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 26 July 2026 His ability to keep the defense organized and control play when Nashville pushed up into the box allowed Orlando to build out of the back effectively. — Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 July 2026 Malonga is still waiting on her first regular-season dunk with the Storm after 63 games, but her ability to get above the rim has hardly been a secret. — Chantz Martin Outkick, FOXNews.com, 26 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for ability
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ability
  1. capability
  2. capacity
  3. faculty
  4. skill
  5. talent
  6. aptitude
Noun
  • Forterra provides the autonomous capabilities that enable distributed, mission-aware, and resilient military operations in contested environments.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Wood compared the role of pricing in cloud computing to a restaurant; low costs were the initial draw, but the capabilities that kept customers coming back were the real value.
    — Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of capability
Noun
  • Following the consolidation, the production capacity for Inpro’s shower curtains, cubicle curtains and roller shades was expected to increase, the company’s 2024 statement said.
    — Claire Harutunian, Charlotte Observer, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The 15 regular-season games for each club and the playoffs will be held at Springfield’s Robin Roberts Stadium, a historic ballpark that has a seating capacity of 5,200 and opened in 1925.
    — Jay Cohen, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of capacity
Noun
  • Hosted by Professor Mike Toffel and colleagues at Harvard Business School, Climate Rising brings business and policy leaders together with HBS faculty to discuss what businesses are doing, can do, and should do to confront climate change.
    — Anjali Chaudhry, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • Tim Bakken, speaking to dozens of colleagues at a faculty meeting, argued that none of them should be forced to seek approval before publishing papers or giving speeches, as a policy unveiled that day would require.
    — Hannah Natanson, Washington Post, 26 July 2026
Definition of faculty
Noun
  • There was no run game, the skill group wasn’t impactful and the offensive line couldn’t protect.
    — Antonio Morales, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • The owners are looking to take their culinary skills and move the conversation around Filipino cuisine forward.
    — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of skill
Noun
  • Avoiding represented talent or hindering communication only exacerbates the issue.
    — Chris Ryan, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
  • That would allow the Cowboys to go out and sign free agents in a pool of available talent that does still have solid players.
    — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 July 2026
Definition of talent
Noun
  • Mox shoved Rick Knox, who still didn’t have the guts or aptitude to call for a disqualification.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
  • Valeri, who began playing at age 4 in his Buenos Aires suburb, said the futbol passion and aptitude run deep in a country where community pride infuses youth-club rivalries and street soccer prevails in many neighborhoods.
    — Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 July 2026
Definition of aptitude

Browse Nearby Words

abilities
ability
a bit
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ability.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ability. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on ability

Nglish: Translation of ability for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ability

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