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
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Recent Examples of competent
Perhaps the most systematic attempt to bring order to this chaos comes from Google DeepMind, which in July 2024 proposed a framework with five levels of AGI performance: emerging, competent, expert, virtuoso, and superhuman.
—
ArsTechnica, 8 July 2025
In 2025, businesses were seen as nearly as ethical as NGOs and far more competent.
—Sarah Bush, Foreign Affairs, 3 July 2025
Two men accused of setting the fire that closed Interstate 471 and the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge for months have been found competent to stand trial.
—Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Orlando might actually have a competent offense for the first time in years.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for competent
ArsTechnica, 8 July 2025
In 2025, businesses were seen as nearly as ethical as NGOs and far more competent.
—Sarah Bush, Foreign Affairs, 3 July 2025
Two men accused of setting the fire that closed Interstate 471 and the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge for months have been found competent to stand trial.
—Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Orlando might actually have a competent offense for the first time in years.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for competent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for competent
Adjective
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Publicly recognizing her innovative thinking fueled her to spearhead a new strategy, which ultimately cut our cost per qualified lead by 8%, demonstrating the power of acknowledging promising efforts.—
William DeCourcy,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
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Here’s why Investing in uncertain times: Here’s what investors should know Private equity wants a larger piece of workplace retirement plan assets Companies are already gearing up for more investors to be qualified to participate in private markets.—
Stephanie Dhue,
CNBC,
23 July 2025
Adjective
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But the common strand in their brutal methodology was the Marxist conviction that violence is a necessary and justified catalyst of change.—
Katja Hoyer,
semafor.com,
19 July 2025
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To convert justified public frustration into a license for withdrawal.—
Noliwe Rooks,
Time,
16 July 2025
Adjective
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In June, The Athletic explained whether Watkins was suitable for United or not.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
30 July 2025
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Near And Far The Near Field Mode is suitable for use at a computer desk where spatial accuracy and proximity immersion are essential.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
30 July 2025
Adjective
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More Antonio Masiello/Getty Images Regarding that deserved disrepute, the specifics of this new raid are startling.—
Steve Cortes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 July 2025
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But there’s another aspect of military life that rarely gets deserved attention: the relentless cycle of relocation.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
25 July 2025
Adjective
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That isn’t to say that the defense stack hasn’t grown more capable itself.—
Alexander Puutio,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
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Crescent City is vulnerable because it is located near the southern end of the Cascadia Subduction Zone, a major fault line capable of producing dangerous tsunamis and intense earthquakes, according to the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network.—
Terry Collins,
USA Today,
31 July 2025
Adjective
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Applying it to the business sector, climate activists will bring new legal challenges against oil companies for human rights violations.—
Jon McGowan,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
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Hemp is a low-THC version of marijuana, and thus legal in Wisconsin, even though both marijuana and hemp come from cannabis plants.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
31 July 2025
Adjective
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People come back from proper breaks with more energy, better ideas, and fewer signs of burnout.—
Bryan Robinson,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
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The trooper found no proper registration for the vehicle.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Competent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/competent. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
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