COMPETENTLY Synonyms: 36 Similar and Opposite Words

competently

adverb

Definition of competently

as in masterfully

in a skillful or expert manner performed the piece at least competently, if not superbly

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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 competently While there are lots of things most people can competently do on their own, filing for bankruptcy is not one of them. — Jay L. Zagorsky, The Conversation, 19 Aug. 2026 Final Thoughts The Beatbot Sora 70 can competently clean your pool's floor, walls, platforms, and surface. — John Mihaly, PC Magazine, 17 Aug. 2026 Unless operated competently such missiles may be worse than useless. — David Hambling, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026 The real issue is whether AI is being implemented transparently, responsibly and accountably — and whether regulators themselves understand these systems well enough to govern them competently. — Sreedhar Potarazu, Baltimore Sun, 14 June 2026 Mark Beare, head of consumer business at cybersecurity firm Malwarebytes, also notes that employees would need to have confidence that an AI agent responding to coworkers and clients on their behalf can be counted on to act competently and professionally. — Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 8 June 2026 Why can’t San Francisco’s officials competently replace its trash cans? — Steven Greenhut, Washington Post, 6 May 2026 Outlays old and new need to be justified and competently managed. — Editorial, Boston Herald, 17 Apr. 2026 The shots are competently composed, the lighting bright, the beats familiar and unchallenging in any way. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 9 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for competently

Adverb

Yet Parton masterfully stayed out of every fight in the culture wars, preaching love, philanthropy, mentorship and tolerance until her dying breath.

— Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
Every spoonful is masterfully balanced, slicking your lips with moreish flavor.

— The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of masterfully

Adverb

My servers, Simon Yun and Michael Richards, skillfully handled busy dining rooms from the first seating on a Friday evening to the last seating on a Tuesday night.

— Louisa Kung Liu Chu, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026
At this unassuming spot in Jardim Botânico, Sudbrack skillfully uses a traditional clay oven to draw remarkable flavors from the simplest of seasonal, fresh, and local ingredients.

— Mikael Castro, Travel + Leisure, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of skillfully

Adverb

SoCal likely in the clear A red blob on the hurricane center's forecast map well south of Mexico's Baja California Peninsula represents a developing tropical system, one that some models show could eventually impact California.

— Doyle Rice, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
It’s been a decade since the company best known for sucking up hair balls and dust bunnies blew with great force into the beauty business.

— Jenny Bailly, Allure, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of well

Adverb

Bryant capably replaced Will Campbell as the starting left tackle for one practice, and continues to be solid in 1-on-1 pass rush.

— Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 6 Aug. 2026
His professional background is in private equity, and LAFC, the team he's been with since its founding in 2014, which is widely regarded as one of the most capably run franchises in MLS.

— Becky Sullivan, NPR, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of capably

Adverb

The initiative comes as only about 35% of APS third graders are reading proficiently.

— Jamal Goss, CBS News, 4 Aug. 2026
Nunez has heard of other writers who proficiently multitask, setting down a partial manuscript while starting another, interspersing it all with stories and essays.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 July 2026

Definition of proficiently

Adverb

Twin wood-burning ovens at the heart of the restaurant neatly showcase this vision.

— Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Aug. 2026
And those two signings fit neatly alongside the other additions from this summer, particularly given they are already established in the Premier League.

— David Ornstein, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of neatly

Adverb

All four stars ably play the stoic and sorrowful notes required of them, without finding many secondary or contrasting ones in their dialogue.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
The kitchen is ably led by former River Café head chef Danny Bohan, whose menu draws on French and Italian culinary traditions with highlights like Dorset crab with tomatoes and aioli and sea bass carpaccio.

— Joanne Shurvell, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of ably

Adverb

In the clip, Lee expertly beats on a bongo while Limbani responds with eager rhythmic dancing.

— Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 21 Aug. 2026
Those figures come from a report issued in June 2025 by the Los Angeles County grand jury (and expertly parsed by filmmaker Nick Andert on YouTube).

— Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of expertly

Browse Nearby Words

competent

competently

competes

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“Competently.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/competently. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of competently

adverb

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