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.

Absent a more competent response than we have seen, the outcome could be tragic.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 2, 2026

With rip currents, which are "normally quite a narrow channel of water moving out to sea", Ayers said "competent" swimmers should swim parallel to the shore to get out of the flow.

From BBC • May 19, 2026

And like the competent multitasking women they inhabit, as they’re piecing clues together, their dynamic fuels a path of internal discovery for both.

From Los Angeles Times • May 18, 2026

It’s hard to imagine his administration being competent enough to fake such actions without at least one conspiracist letting the secret out, even by drunkenly bragging about it to a would-be mistress.

From Salon • May 13, 2026

Clearly Holmes had not consulted an architect, at least not a competent one.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson

Vocabulary lists containing competent

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

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