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
Of all the competencies required for the role, political affiliation or experience as a television commentator are not high on his list.
—
Pien Huang, NPR, 2 May 2026
Learn from that and then get incredibly good rebuild core competencies.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2026
Structured interviews, where each interviewer focuses on specific competencies, can also improve efficiency during the hiring process.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 20 Apr. 2026
In the program, students will develop the core competencies needed to lead with integrity and drive meaningful organizational change.
—Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 19 Apr. 2026
If the problem in the past has been core competencies and automakers trying to offer products outside of those, then partnering with a company like Microsoft may result in some benefits.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 16 Apr. 2026
Students will build competencies in photography, filmmaking, narrative writing, production and post-production, alongside a grounding in visual culture and contemporary aesthetics.
—Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 30 Mar. 2026
Clearly defining leadership competencies supports genuine equity for diverse talent, as inclusion is primarily experienced through direct leaders’ actions rather than HR statistics.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 12 Mar. 2026
Strengthening these competencies is associated with lower rates of aggression.
—Beverly Kingston, The Conversation, 5 Mar. 2026
Pien Huang, NPR, 2 May 2026
Learn from that and then get incredibly good rebuild core competencies.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2026
Structured interviews, where each interviewer focuses on specific competencies, can also improve efficiency during the hiring process.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 20 Apr. 2026
In the program, students will develop the core competencies needed to lead with integrity and drive meaningful organizational change.
—Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 19 Apr. 2026
If the problem in the past has been core competencies and automakers trying to offer products outside of those, then partnering with a company like Microsoft may result in some benefits.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 16 Apr. 2026
Students will build competencies in photography, filmmaking, narrative writing, production and post-production, alongside a grounding in visual culture and contemporary aesthetics.
—Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 30 Mar. 2026
Clearly defining leadership competencies supports genuine equity for diverse talent, as inclusion is primarily experienced through direct leaders’ actions rather than HR statistics.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 12 Mar. 2026
Strengthening these competencies is associated with lower rates of aggression.
—Beverly Kingston, The Conversation, 5 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for competencies
Noun
-
Alexander was able to counter Slater’s high-flying abilities just for a moment and knocked him back out of the ring.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
-
But shortly before the screen cuts to black one last time, the lovers can be seen and heard gasping for breath, suggesting that Claire has used her special healing abilities to save Jamie.—
Max Gao,
HollywoodReporter,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
Seen from this perspective, music seems not merely like an activity that builds cognitive skills, but perhaps even more essentially like an activity that builds social connection.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
-
Asked what her plans are post-graduation, Li admitted her basic printing skills could improve, hopefully with assistance from someone at Dries Van Noten.—
Ari Stark,
Footwear News,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
Anyone seeking a full understanding of Mary will benefit from reading her correspondence, published in 1972; the letters, however peculiar in their observations and punctuation, reveal the intellectual capacities of a woman often seen wholly in terms of her emotions.—
Thomas Mallon,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
-
All our political capacities are given over to this one monopoly of the nation-state, which has stripped us of every other kind.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Competencies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/competencies. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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