How to Use ability in a Sentence

ability

noun
Definition of abilitynext
Synonyms for abilitynext
  • She has shown some ability with foreign languages.
  • Not all kids learn at the same speed and have the same ability.
    — Niraj Warikoo, Detroit Free Press, 26 May 2023
  • The ability to create pathways for work in wages and wealth are on the line.
    — ABC News, 28 July 2024
  • This feature gives the knife the ability to cut deep roots or tough stems.
    — Andrea Wurzburger, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2023
  • The ability of front-row passengers to stream and watch videos on the LED screen.
    — Morgan Korn, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2023
  • But after that, not playing to the best of my abilities.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2024
  • During the trip, he was mesmerized by the view — and by Lane’s ability to tell time by the sun.
    — Alena Naiden, Anchorage Daily News, 28 July 2023
  • The one feature the Bucks possess over the Celtics is the ability to remain themselves.
    — Gary Washburn, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Mar. 2023
  • Once the team flipped that switch, the female flies had the ability to just do the whole reproduction thing on their own.
    — Jackie Appel, Popular Mechanics, 27 July 2023
  • Microsoft is in the center of much of the ability to defend.
    — WIRED, 2 Nov. 2023
  • In his prime, Graham was a lethal red zone weapon, thanks to his size (6-foot-7) and leaping ability.
    — Cydney Henderson, USA TODAY, 19 Aug. 2023
  • Gauff has a unique ability to draw energy from a crowd, and they from her.
    — Abby Aguirre, Vogue, 6 Mar. 2024
  • This swing also has a unique ability to provide a sense of calm.
    — Laura Lu, Ms, Parents, 6 Mar. 2024
  • So that afforded him the ability to take some low blows.
    — Marlow Stern, Rolling Stone, 8 Mar. 2023
  • Some of the blame for the marginal cooling ability of the A/C must go to the Samurai's convertible top.
    — Csaba Csere, Car and Driver, 5 Jan. 2023
  • One of them is the ability to refit and retool inside Gaza.
    — ABC News, 26 Nov. 2023
  • This gives them the ability to add more value to their services for their clientele.
    — Jon Stojan, USA TODAY, 2 Sep. 2023
  • The ability and endurance of what my leg will do going forward will never be the same.
    — Adam Woodard, The Arizona Republic, 4 Apr. 2023
  • In terms of its sweat-blocking abilities, this one’s a winner.
    — Lacey Muinos, Health, 25 May 2023
  • The poll is the latest to track pessimism among Republicans about Ukraine’s ability to win the war.
    — Adam Taylor, Washington Post, 12 Jan. 2023
  • Those teams are concerned about their ability to market their players and teams in light of Morant’s video.
    — oregonlive, 15 May 2023
  • Luck’s ability to energize athletes, fans, and donors could play a large part in that process.
    — Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 30 Nov. 2024
  • Pryor has 24 career starts over the last five seasons and projects as the swing tackle with the ability to move inside to guard as well.
    — Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2024
  • But most potential buyers didn’t have space or the ability to move it.
    — Peter Hartlaub, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 Mar. 2023
  • Atkins agrees that forecasts are only as good as your ability to use them.
    — Max G. Levy, WIRED, 20 Dec. 2023
  • Paxlovid works by blocking the virus’s ability to spread throughout the body, if taken within the first five days of symptoms.
    — al, 24 Dec. 2022
  • Against a team known for its ability to make contact, Rodriguez forced just nine swings and misses, his second fewest of the year.
    — Sam Cohn, Baltimore Sun, 27 July 2024
  • Klintman moves fluidly and has shown an ability to handle the ball well for his size, shoot from the floor beyond the arc, and pass well.
    — Indystar Sports, The Indianapolis Star, 9 June 2023
  • It’s also thought that an internal pick has the ability to hit the ground running, as an external hire would have a lot of learning to do.
    — Kathryn Hopkins, WWD, 30 Dec. 2024
  • In recent decades, many economic and social concerns have hindered the ability of major labels to groom artists for success.
    — Marcus K. Dowling, Nashville Tennessean, 30 Dec. 2024

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ability.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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