competent

[kom-pi-tuhnt] / ˈkɒm pɪ tənt /

ADJECTIVE

able

Synonyms

STRONGEST

adequate capable decent efficient proficient qualified skilled

WEAK

adapted all around appropriate au fait being a pistol clever complete crisp dynamite endowed enough equal fireball fit fool good know ins and outs know one's business know one's stuff know the answers know the ropes know the score no slouch on the ball paid one's dues pertinent polished satisfactory savvy sufficient suitable there up to it up to snuff up to speed wicked

Antonyms

STRONGEST

impotent incapable incompetent inept insufficient unable unqualified unskilled unsuitable

WEAK

inadequate inefficient

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"Anyone responsible for international crimes must be held to account by a competent court."

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

The goal isn’t to become competent on any specific model of drone.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026

Yes, but even the most competent 5-year-old would still run into the same problems that Bondi did.

From Slate • Apr. 3, 2026

On Tuesday, Iran’s mission to the United Nations said in a social media post that “non-hostile” vessels can pass through the waterway “in coordination with the competent Iranian authorities.”

From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026

It represents an intellectual breakthrough: Digges was the first competent astronomer explicitly to propose an infinite universe.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Vocabulary lists containing competent

"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, Chapters 26–31

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