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what it takes

NOUN
ability
Synonyms
STRONGEST
capability expertise ingenuity proficiency skill strength talent
STRONG
adroitness bent cleverness command craft deftness expertness finesse flair genius gift handiness knack know-how mastery savvy skillfulness
WEAK
mind for particular activity adeptness the goods the right stuff
Antonyms
STRONGEST
inability incapacity incompetence ineptness lack weakness
STRONG
ignorance ineptitude want
WEAK
clumsiness impotence inadequacy inanity limitation paralysis stupidity
NOUN
aptitude
Synonyms
STRONGEST
competence flair knack proficiency savvy
STRONG
ability capability capacity cleverness faculty gift intelligence smarts stuff talent
WEAK
giftedness
Antonyms
STRONGEST
inability incompetence ineptitude ineptness
STRONG
ignorance impotence lack stupidity weakness
WEAK
disinclination inaptitude incapacity skillessness
NOUN
authority
Synonyms
STRONGEST
force government jurisdiction rule
STRONG
ascendancy authorization beef charge clout command credit domination dominion edge esteem goods guts influence juice jump license mastery might permission permit pizazz pow powerhouse prerogative prestige punch right ropes say say-so steam strength stuff supremacy sway warrant weight word
WEAK
leg up might and main strong arm upper hand whip hand
Antonyms
STRONG
breach break disadvantage inferiority lack lethargy powerlessness prohibition subordination weakness
NOUN
capacity
Synonyms
STRONGEST
capability competence efficiency facility power readiness skill strength talent
STRONG
adequacy aptitude aptness bent brains caliber cleverness compass faculty forte genius gift inclination intelligence knack might qualification stature
WEAK
the goods up to it
Antonyms
STRONGEST
impotence inability incapability incapacity incompetence inefficiency ineptness lack weakness
STRONG
ignorance inaptitude stupidity
NOUN
competence
Synonyms
STRONGEST
appropriateness capability capacity competency expertise fitness know-how proficiency qualification savvy skill suitability
STRONG
adequacy makings might moxie
WEAK
cutting it cutting the mustard hacking it making the grade qualifiedness the goods the right stuff
Antonyms
STRONGEST
ignorance impotence inability inappropriateness incompetence ineptness lack
WEAK
inadequacy incapability inefficience
NOUN
drive
Synonyms
STRONGEST
effort initiative momentum push
STRONG
ambition clout energy enterprise get-up-and-go goods gumption guts impetus impulse motivation motive moxie pep pressure punch spunk steam stuff vigor vitality zip
WEAK
fire in belly impellent right stuff
Antonyms
STRONG
apathy cowardice discouragement enervation hindrance idleness inactivity laziness lethargy
NOUN
faculty
Synonyms
STRONG
adroitness aptitude aptness bent capability capacity cleverness dexterity facility flair forte genius gift instinct intelligence knack leaning nose peculiarity penchant pistol power predilection proclivity propensity property quality readiness reason sense strength talent turn wits
WEAK
knowing way around right stuff
Antonyms
STRONG
antipathy disinclination dislike hate ignorance impotence inability incapacity incompetence ineptitude ineptness lack stupidity weakness
WEAK
need students
NOUN
force
Synonyms
STRONGEST
effort strength violence
STRONG
arm brunt clout coercion compulsion conscription draft duress dynamism enforcement exaction extortion fury horsepower impact impetus impulse might momentum muscle pains potency potential pow pressure punch push sinew sock speed steam stimulus strain stress stuff subjection tension trouble velocity vigor
WEAK
constrait full head of steam strong arm
Antonyms
STRONGEST
passivity
STRONG
discouragement ease happiness hindrance idleness lethargy peace powerlessness relaxation weakness
WEAK
incompetence
NOUN
fortitude
Synonyms
STRONGEST
boldness bravery courage determination endurance fearlessness firmness grit mettle moxie nerve patience perseverance pluck spunk stamina staying power tenacity valor
STRONG
backbone braveness constancy courageousness dauntlessness gutsiness hardihood heart intrepidity pith resoluteness resolution spine spirit starch stomach stoutheartedness valiancy valorousness
WEAK
stick-to-itiveness true grit
Antonyms
STRONGEST
apathy cowardice fear irresolution laziness lethargy timidity weakness
WEAK
helplessness
NOUN
intellect
Synonyms
STRONGEST
ability acumen genius intelligence intuition judgment savvy
STRONG
brains cerebration comprehension egghead intellectual mentality mind psyche pundit reason sense smarts thinker understanding wits
WEAK
intellectuality
Antonyms
STRONGEST
ignorance inability inanity ineptness stupidity
STRONG
body disbelief misinterpretation mistake misunderstanding physicality
NOUN
intelligence
Synonyms
STRONGEST
acumen agility brilliance intellect judgment perception quickness savvy sense skill subtlety understanding wit
STRONG
IQ acuity alertness aptitude brainpower brains brightness capacity cleverness comprehension coruscation discernment luminosity mentality mind penetration perspicacity precocity quotient reason sagacity smarts trenchancy
WEAK
gray matter the right stuff
Antonyms
STRONGEST
ignorance inability stupidity
STRONG
disinclination physicality
WEAK
ineptness
NOUN
potency
Synonyms
STRONGEST
capability efficacy efficiency vigor
STRONG
authority birr capacity command control dominion energy force go hardihood influence juice kick might moxie muscle pep potential power puissance punch sinew snap sock steam strength sway virtue zap zing zip
Antonyms
STRONGEST
impotence inability incompetence inefficiency weakness
STRONG
apathy enervation idleness inactivity incapacity lack laziness lethargy powerlessness
WEAK
impotency ineffectiveness
NOUN
potential
Synonyms
STRONGEST
ability capability capacity potentiality power
STRONG
aptitude arete wherewithal
WEAK
the makings
Antonyms
STRONGEST
impotence inability incompetence weakness
WEAK
impossible lack
NOUN
potentiality
Synonyms
STRONG
ability aptitude capability capacity potential power wherewithal
WEAK
the makings
Antonyms
STRONG
impotence inability incapacity incompetence stupidity weakness
NOUN
proficiency
Synonyms
STRONGEST
aptitude competence dexterity efficiency expertise know-how knowledge mastery savvy skill
STRONG
accomplishment advance advancement chops expertness facility formula headway knack learning makings moxie oil progress stuff talent
WEAK
green thumb right stuff
Antonyms
STRONGEST
ignorance inability incapability incapacity incompetence inefficiency ineptness lack
STRONG
block decline failure halt retreat retrogression stop stoppage
WEAK
clumsiness
NOUN
prowess
Synonyms
STRONGEST
boldness courage grit heroism mettle valor
STRONG
backbone daring dauntlessness fearlessness gallantry guts heart intrepidity moxie nerve pluck spunk starch stomach stuff valiance valiancy valorousness
WEAK
right stuff true grit
Antonyms
STRONGEST
cowardice fear meekness timidity weakness
WEAK
inability
NOUN
qualification
Synonyms
STRONGEST
accomplishment adequacy capability competence eligibility experience fitness quality skill suitability
STRONG
attainment attribute capacity endowment goods makings might stuff suitableness
WEAK
qualifiedness
Antonyms
STRONGEST
ignorance inability inadequacy incapability incompetence ineptness inexperience
STRONG
loss weakness
WEAK
disqualification inaptitude lack
NOUN
right stuff
Synonyms
WEAK
abilities bravery courage credentials dependability drive essential qualities experience guts knowledge power qualifications self-confidence skills talent the goods the makings the stuff
NOUN
say-so
Synonyms
STRONG
ascendancy authorization beef charge clout command control credit domination dominion edge esteem force goods government guts influence juice jump jurisdiction license mastery might permission permit pizazz pow power powerhouse prerogative prestige punch right ropes rule say sovereignty steam strength stuff supremacy sway warrant weight word zap
WEAK
leg up might and main strong arm upper hand whip hand
Antonyms
STRONG
breach break disadvantage impotence inability incapacity incompetence inefficiency inferiority lack lethargy powerlessness prohibition submission subordination subservience surrender weakness yielding
NOUN
skill
Synonyms
STRONGEST
accomplishment art artistry clout competence dexterity experience expertise finesse ingenuity intelligence job know-how proficiency prowess quickness readiness savvy technique
STRONG
address adroitness aptitude cleverness command craft cunning deftness dodge ease expertness facility goods handiness knack line makings moxie profession skillfulness sleight smarts stuff trade
WEAK
expertism one's thing right stuff
Antonyms
STRONGEST
clumsiness ignorance inability incompetence ineptness lack
STRONG
avocation difficulty entertainment fun stupidity
WEAK
incapability incapacity inexperience
NOUN
smarts
Synonyms
STRONG
IQ acuity acumen alertness aptitude brainpower brains brightness brilliance cleverness competence comprehension intellect judgment know-how mind perception perspicacity precocity reason savvy sense understanding
WEAK
gray matter the right stuff
Antonyms
STRONG
disbelief disinclination ignorance inability ineptness misinterpretation mistake misunderstanding stupidity
NOUN
suitableness
Synonyms
STRONG
capability capacity competence eligibility fitness suitability worthiness
WEAK
qualifiedness
Antonyms
STRONG
impotence inability incompetence ineptness
NOUN
talent
Synonyms
STRONGEST
art capability capacity expertise flair genius gift knack know-how power savvy skill thing
STRONG
aptitude aptness bent craft endowment facility faculty forte head inventiveness nose set smarts turn
WEAK
a way with green thumb the formula the goods the right stuff
Antonyms
STRONGEST
ignorance impotence inability incapacity incompetence ineptitude ineptness lack want
STRONG
stupidity weakness
NOUN
tenacity
Synonyms
STRONGEST
chutzpah courage determination firmness grit guts perseverance persistence spunk steadfastness
STRONG
application backbone clock doggedness follow-through gutsiness heart inflexibility intransigence moxie nerve obduracy obstinacy pertinacity resoluteness resolution resolve starch staunchness stomach willfulness
WEAK
guttiness intestinal fortitude stick-to-itiveness strength of purpose true grit
Antonyms
STRONGEST
cowardice fear idleness indolence timidity weakness
STRONG
indecision question
WEAK
indifference irresolution slackness
NOUN
zeal
Synonyms
STRONGEST
ardor determination devotion diligence eagerness earnestness fanaticism fervor gusto inclination intensity passion perseverance sincerity spirit urgency verve warmth zest
STRONG
alacrity bustle dispatch drive enterprise fierceness fire hustle initiative intentness keenness mania push readiness vehemence yen
WEAK
stick-to-itiveness
Antonyms
STRONGEST
apathy coolness disinterest dullness inactivity indifference insincerity laziness lethargy neglect unenthusiasm
STRONG
discouragement

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.

They don’t have what it takes, and they never did!

From Salon • Apr. 9, 2026

“But we will if that’s what it takes to ensure our families can survive, and our students have all the support they need — inside and outside the classroom.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

A few of the Class of 2026 share a glimpse of what it really costs to build a political career - and what it takes to walk away from one.

From BBC • Mar. 22, 2026

And it seems like he decided this is what it takes.

From Slate • Mar. 20, 2026

I know I have what it takes and I am going to do what it takes to make my next goal, a college degree and an NFL career!

From "The Freedom Writers Diary" by The Freedom Writers