FACULTY Synonyms: 110 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'faculty' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of faculty are aptitude , bent , genius , gift , knack , and talent . While all these words mean "a special ability for doing something," faculty applies to an innate or less often acquired ability for a particular accomplishment or function. // a faculty for remembering names

Q: When would 'aptitude' be a good substitute for 'faculty'?

The words aptitude and faculty can be used in similar contexts, but aptitude implies a natural liking for some activity and the likelihood of success in it. // a mechanical aptitude

Q: How are the words 'bent' and 'aptitude' related as synonyms of 'faculty'?

Bent is nearly equal to aptitude but it stresses inclination perhaps more than specific ability. // a family with an artistic bent

Q: In what contexts can 'genius' take the place of 'faculty'?

While the synonyms genius and faculty are close in meaning, genius suggests impressive inborn creative ability. // has no great genius for poetry

Q: When could 'gift' be used to replace 'faculty'?

The meanings of gift and faculty largely overlap; however, gift often implies special favor by God or nature. // the gift of singing beautifully

Q: When might 'knack' be a better fit than 'faculty'?

The words knack and faculty are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, knack implies a comparatively minor but special ability making for ease and dexterity in performance. // the knack of getting along

Q: When is 'talent' a more appropriate choice than 'faculty'?

Although the words talent and faculty have much in common, talent suggests a marked natural ability that needs to be developed. // has enough talent to succeed

faculty

noun

ˈfa-kəl-tē

Definition of faculty

as in power

a natural ability of the mind or body although they are well into their 80s, the mental faculties of this couple are as sharp as ever

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in talent

a special and usually inborn ability even when he was still at a young age, John Singleton Copley's artistic faculties were readily recognizable

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as in ability

the physical or mental power to do something the belief that if someone loses their sight, all of their other physical faculties are heightened

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun faculty differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of faculty are aptitude, bent, genius, gift, knack, and talent. While all these words mean "a special ability for doing something," faculty applies to an innate or less often acquired ability for a particular accomplishment or function.

a faculty for remembering names

When would aptitude be a good substitute for faculty?

The words aptitude and faculty can be used in similar contexts, but aptitude implies a natural liking for some activity and the likelihood of success in it.

a mechanical aptitude

How are the words bent and aptitude related as synonyms of faculty?

Bent is nearly equal to aptitude but it stresses inclination perhaps more than specific ability.

a family with an artistic bent

In what contexts can genius take the place of faculty?

While the synonyms genius and faculty are close in meaning, genius suggests impressive inborn creative ability.

has no great genius for poetry

When could gift be used to replace faculty?

The meanings of gift and faculty largely overlap; however, gift often implies special favor by God or nature.

the gift of singing beautifully

When might knack be a better fit than faculty?

The words knack and faculty are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, knack implies a comparatively minor but special ability making for ease and dexterity in performance.

the knack of getting along

When is talent a more appropriate choice than faculty?

Although the words talent and faculty have much in common, talent suggests a marked natural ability that needs to be developed.

has enough talent to succeed

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 faculty The shooting left 17 students and faculty dead and spurred a national reckoning with gun violence in schools and campus safety. — Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026 Bell joined the faculty of UConn’s Dramatic Arts Program and began teaching classes in 2014. — Tran Chau, Hartford Courant, 24 Aug. 2026 Epstein’s hiring for the role, on an interim, tenure-track basis, has sparked pushback and questions from FIU faculty. — Austin Horn, Miami Herald, 24 Aug. 2026 In February 2020, about two weeks after the audit got underway, Towers retired from his faculty position. — Amy Yurkanin, ProPublica, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for faculty

Recent Examples of Synonyms for faculty

Noun

As Itauma continued attempting to throw power punches, Hrgović knew his opponent had nothing left and went for the kill.

— Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
The last act before festival founder Olivia Rodrigo, Roan turned it out with all of her powers—bolstered by a bold and bitchy, razor-sharp bob.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of power

Noun

The studio has released seven titles that have won 10 Emmy Awards and two Annie Awards, with voice talent including Glenn Close, Jennifer Hudson, Ethan Hawke, John Legend, Lupita Nyong’o, Daisy Ridley and Oprah Winfrey.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026
Everyone from Sabrina Carpenter to Taylor Swift to Barack Obama has honored Parton, calling out her talent, her kindness, and her sense of giving.

— Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of talent

Noun

Though the Roman telescope is often compared to Hubble, which launched in 1990 and has captured some of the most dramatic and memorable views of the cosmos, Roman’s capabilities far outpace its predecessor’s.

— Denise Chow, NBC news, 29 Aug. 2026
The modernization expanded advanced manufacturing across the company’s Indianapolis campus and added full engine-test capabilities, including new ground-test facilities and an altitude test facility in West Lafayette.

— Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of capability

Noun

Goldman’s model assumes SMIC will add between 30,000 and 50,000 advanced-node wafers in monthly capacity each year from 2026 through 2031.

— Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Furthermore, relationships themselves teach basic psychological capacities such as regulating emotions, tolerating disappointment, and negotiating differences—skills which therapy is supposed to cultivate.

— David H. Rosmarin, Time, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of capacity

Noun

Anedda’s capacity to turn perspectives around by narrating unwritten angles in the same story is her most characteristic gift.

— Wallis Wilde-Menozzi, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2026
According to the committee’s report, Edwards invited young female staffers to dinner and strip clubs, gave them gifts, wrote them notes, and repeatedly tried to see them.

— Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of gift

Noun

As Heather Brown reports, Harper's family says the fifth grader had a knack for making every day count.

— Heather Brown, CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026
Once again, the artist brought her knack for publicity to bear, as the performances frequently drew a police presence and thus, subsequently, that of the press.

— News Desk, Artforum, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of knack

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“Faculty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/faculty. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of faculty

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Synonyms of faculty

noun

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