ability

noun

ə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce ability (audio)
Definition of abilitynext
as in capability
the physical or mental power to do something as a result of the accident the once-vigorous athlete lost the ability to walk

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 ability For more than a week, Ukraine had faced a speed limit on the Starshield satellite terminals used by its military, hindering its ability to intercept fast-moving Russian drones. — Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026 Jim Crow segregation, discrimination and systemic racism further depressed the Black population’s ability to build wealth that is still largely concentrated among white families. — Fatima Hussein, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026 Eshelman showed that scrambling ability early in the game, rushing for 24 yards in the first quarter. — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 25 Oct. 2026 Anyone contemplating retirement abroad should investigate insurance, emergency arrangements and the ability to pay upfront before making the move. — Lance B. Fulford, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ability
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ability
  1. capability
  2. capacity
  3. faculty
  4. skill
  5. talent
  6. aptitude
Noun
  • Each ship comes with 16 missile launch cells, a Lockheed Martin SPY-7 radar, an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopter, and other cutting-edge missile defense capabilities.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Nevertheless, for investors willing to develop that capability, international sourcing can create access to businesses that domestic-only buyers overlook.
    — Chris Russo, Sportico.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of capability
Noun
  • The additional site will further strengthen the company’s manufacturing network in Colorado and provide additional capacity for its growing space and sensor systems business.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The massive 5,942-lb (2,695 kg) weight is somewhat disguised by a system that swaps traditional mechanical anti-roll bars for triple-stage adjustable air springs linked to a high-capacity central hydraulic pressure reservoir.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of capacity
Noun
  • None of this excuses Chris’ malicious behavior, not just toward Carrie but toward her future stepsister, Brooklyn (Rowan Danielle), and the school as a whole, mostly via a fake Instagram account devoted to smearing students and faculty alike.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Filling a limited version of the host role is Alison Wood Brooks, a behavioral scientist on the faculty of Harvard Business School.
    — Judy Berman, Time, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of faculty
Noun
  • During the interview with TBPN, Karp argued that AI is changing which skills and perspectives are valuable in the workplace.
    — Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Netflix’s skills and training programs reached over 6,500 people in Korea between 2021 and 2025.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of skill
Noun
  • Koenig died Monday at his home in the North Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles, talent agent Zachery McGinnis said in a statement.
    — JONATHAN LANDRUM JR. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Maybe talents like Misiorowski and Caminero and Chourio only come around once every couple decades.
    — Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of talent
Noun
  • The Duke then entered the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, where his aptitude for foreign languages was recognized with a prize.
    — Stephanie Bridger-Linning, Vanity Fair, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Naturally, his work at Celine has now been put in conversation with hers, especially because both designers share an aptitude for creating clothes real people want to wear–and, therefore, many of the same fans.
    — Joan Kennedy, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of aptitude

Browse Nearby Words

abilities
ability
a bit
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ability.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ability. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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