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

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 competent In evaluations after he was charged, Bell was found competent to proceed with the court matters. —

Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 9 Jan. 2025 Listen to this article A man charged with murder in the death of his infant daughter, who was found submerged in water in a bathtub at a motel in Milford last summer, has been found not competent to stand trial. —

Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 8 Jan. 2025 With figures suggesting global branding agencies were worth $5.2 billion in 2023, this is clearly a competent and expert sector. —

Callum Booth, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025 Many of the reforms proposed here would require an activist and competent state, which suggests that quite a few countries would need to monumentally overhaul their governments’ operations. —

Foreign Affairs, 14 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for competent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for competent

Adjective

This fall, Payne moved from linebacker to the defensive line, putting up good numbers with 28 tackles, nine hurries, 2 1/2 sacks and 11 tackles for loss as the Warriors qualified for the playoffs.

— Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 25 Jan. 2025
Mount Washington also employs licensed morticians who can remediate gravesites — something that Hunter, a lawyer by trade, isn’t qualified to do.

— Natalie Wallington, Kansas City Star, 25 Jan. 2025