as in abilities
the physical or mental power to do something
she's proved that she has the competency to run a major company
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Recent Examples of competencies
Earlier in the week, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella discussed an emerging type of knowledge work, with new competencies based on how AI was reshaping hierarchies and the way information flows through society.
—
Tristan Bove, Fortune, 23 Jan. 2026
Employees with these technical and strategic competencies are better positioned to navigate turnover and thrive in organizations that reward impact and execution speed over tenure or traditional hierarchy.
—Kara Dennison, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Building on this approach, Toth plans to guide the firm’s growth by strengthening existing competencies, deepening client and investor engagement, and adding professionals with sector-specific expertise.
—Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 16 Dec. 2025
McKinsey estimates that demand for social and emotional skills will rise by up to 25% this decade, and Deloitte finds that 92% of executives now rank empathy and collaboration as critical leadership competencies.
—Big Think, 18 Nov. 2025
That both would be forced to resign makes one wonder where the BBC can go next but retreat into its absolute core competencies.
—Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 10 Nov. 2025
Once considered superficial next to financial advice and tax planning, services for health and wellness, family and kids, and travel and self-improvement are becoming core competencies in the business of advising and helping wealthy families.
—Robert Frank, CNBC, 8 Nov. 2025
For those willing to develop emerging competencies, whether in AI literacy, ethical oversight, or strategic creativity, the evolving job market offers significant potential for career advancement.
—The Hill, 24 Oct. 2025
So thinking about my senior leadership team, what kind of roles and competencies are needed for the future and what is the right operating model of that leadership structure, given the fact that the organization has been rapidly changing.
—Alexis Kayser, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
Tristan Bove, Fortune, 23 Jan. 2026
Employees with these technical and strategic competencies are better positioned to navigate turnover and thrive in organizations that reward impact and execution speed over tenure or traditional hierarchy.
—Kara Dennison, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Building on this approach, Toth plans to guide the firm’s growth by strengthening existing competencies, deepening client and investor engagement, and adding professionals with sector-specific expertise.
—Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 16 Dec. 2025
McKinsey estimates that demand for social and emotional skills will rise by up to 25% this decade, and Deloitte finds that 92% of executives now rank empathy and collaboration as critical leadership competencies.
—Big Think, 18 Nov. 2025
That both would be forced to resign makes one wonder where the BBC can go next but retreat into its absolute core competencies.
—Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 10 Nov. 2025
Once considered superficial next to financial advice and tax planning, services for health and wellness, family and kids, and travel and self-improvement are becoming core competencies in the business of advising and helping wealthy families.
—Robert Frank, CNBC, 8 Nov. 2025
For those willing to develop emerging competencies, whether in AI literacy, ethical oversight, or strategic creativity, the evolving job market offers significant potential for career advancement.
—The Hill, 24 Oct. 2025
So thinking about my senior leadership team, what kind of roles and competencies are needed for the future and what is the right operating model of that leadership structure, given the fact that the organization has been rapidly changing.
—Alexis Kayser, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for competencies
Noun
-
Peck performed side-by-side with Fambrough until his death in 2023, a time frame that allowed Peck to grow more confident in his abilities and better grasp why his heroes were keen on this arrangement.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The data is clear that, over time, exercise improves both mental health and cognitive abilities such as problem-solving, Bigliassi said.—
Meg Wingerter,
Denver Post,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In the four years since the facility opened, many of the club’s members have leveled up their skills in a big way.—
Kate Bradshaw,
Mercury News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Over time, their problem-solving skills will improve.—
Lizzie Assa,
CNBC,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Effective responses to multiple civic crises in today’s America depend on analysis of how people develop capacities for work on public challenges.—
Harry Boyte,
Twin Cities,
8 Feb. 2026
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The units are available in 10- or 50-kW capacities and can be bundled to achieve higher total capacities.—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Competencies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/competencies. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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