Definitions

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.

He believes Gjoshe has what it takes to resume his career, despite the blow of being released.

From BBC • May 17, 2026

Plus, Sam Altman testifies in Elon Musk’s OpenAI trial, and “Subway Takes” has what it takes.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 12, 2026

That’s about what it takes to keep an airline fueled under normal circumstances.

From Barron's • May 8, 2026

Why was it important for you to help your readers learn about the technical aspect of battle rap and what it takes to be a battle rapper?

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026

“If that’s what it takes to get you to wake up, then a little fear is good.”

From "Adrift" by Paul Griffin

what it takes

Example Sentences

Related Words