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 And when patients are finally seen, the care itself might not be competent. Rebecca Nagle, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2025 After seven hours of watching these people lumber around this fragile world, no one stands out as competent enough or sinister enough to commit a murder on purpose. Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 31 Mar. 2025 To ensure competent engagement in critical AI governance decisions, effective directors require at least a foundational level of AI competency, if not more. John M. Bremen, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025 And the American people should be grateful to these individuals and especially to President Trump for putting together such a competent and highly qualified team who are killing terrorists that the Biden administration allowed to run wild in the Middle East. Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for competent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for competent
Adjective
  • Contributions are only tax deductible if made to a qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
    John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
  • However, there aren’t many qualified factory workers without jobs.
    Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The Trump administration has argued that the invocation of the law is a justified, lawful, and protects US interests.
    Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 31 Mar. 2025
  • The United States has a justified and moral argument to never negotiate with terrorists.
    Askold Haywas, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • This content is not, nor is intended to be, trading or investment advice or a recommendation that any investment product or strategy is suitable for any person. Follow me on Twitter.
    JJ Kinahan, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Securities, investment products, other financial products or strategies discussed herein may not be suitable for all investors.
    Katie Stockton, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • But after two deserved demotions, Poitras is anything but a sure NHL thing.
    Fluto Shinzawa, The Athletic, 18 Mar. 2025
  • The internet is demanding justice for a dog who was snubbed from a rightfully deserved treat after her owner got distracted.
    William Lambers, Newsweek, 10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • While Jerusalem values its ability to operate freely in Syrian airspace—thanks in part to the deconfliction mechanism with Russian commanders—that arrangement cannot come at the cost of allowing Hezbollah to build an arsenal capable of overwhelming Israel's defenses.
    Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Our objective is to cultivate a movement that’s capable of persuading as many Americans as possible to support sane, rational, and morally upstanding policy.
    Noah Rothman, National Review, 2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • American history itself documents the shifting boundaries of racial categories, a legal as well as a social status in the United States.
    Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Apr. 2025
  • The county is required by law to hire outside legal counsel in cases brought against county employees if the complaint could reasonably lead to criminal charges.
    Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The government insisted the nonprofits didn't have standing to bring this case on behalf of the employees because the employees themselves needed go through the proper, yet limited, channels to challenge their firings, with each employee fighting his or her own battle.
    Christina Gatti, NPR, 8 Apr. 2025
  • All my Social Security user logins are again able to connect and view the proper benefit information.
    Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Competent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/competent. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.

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