competently

adverb

Definition of competentlynext
as in masterfully
in a skillful or expert manner performed the piece at least competently, if not superbly

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 competently But their ability to competently run a city, connecting directly with local needs, often sets them up for national politics. — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2026 Nor does Moshe appear a natural action director, as the setpieces here are just competently staged rather than harrowing, and overall tension goes slack on occasion. — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 10 Sep. 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for competently
  1. masterfully
  2. skillfully
  3. well
  4. capably
  5. proficiently
  6. neatly
  7. ably
  8. expertly
Adverb
  • The narrative winds in and out of time, masterfully jumping between past and future with no consideration to chronology.
    — Sky Davis, Christian Science Monitor, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Ahluwalia x Puma Blending the designer’s Indian-Nigerian culture with Puma’s legendary sportswear designs, this partnership masterfully resulted in a colorful, chic athleisure capsule.
    — Virginia Corneli, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of masterfully
Adverb
  • Telhou uses primal shouts to keep the herd together, while Saâdia uses a slingshot contraption to skillfully throw stones at straying goats.
    — Jen Murphy, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Oct. 2026
  • When daily life can feel quite bruising and fractious, documentaries skillfully encourage us to let our guard down and connect with real-life stories and people… sometimes challenging, often invigorating, and always meaningful.
    — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of skillfully
Adverb
  • The trend marks a stark turn from earlier this decade, when sellers often received well above their asking price as home shoppers empowered by rock-bottom mortgage rates fueled a buying frenzy that sent home prices soaring.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Technique works well in testing This strategy optimizes both the transport and perovskite layers together, driving efficiency and durability to record levels.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of well
Adverb
  • The rest of the filmmaking, too, is content to coast at a lower difficulty setting, from the proficient but anonymously taupe lensing by master DP Robert Elswit to an untested ensemble of ever-watchable actors playing capably to type.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
  • And there was also a favorable response on Saturday to Amazon/MGM’s Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother, an action-thriller led capably by Mahershala Ali.
    — Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of capably
Adverb
  • Buzzard is in exceptional shape for his age, with teammate Max Thomas noticing his ability to keep up proficiently during team sprints.
    — Christian Babcock, Mercury News, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The initiative comes as only about 35% of APS third graders are reading proficiently.
    — Jamal Goss, CBS News, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of proficiently
Adverb
  • This work is considered the first of its kind to neatly package elements of vampirism into a single piece of fiction.
    — Maria Papadouris, JSTOR Daily, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Building a data center that fits neatly into an existing grid provides little opportunity for a utility to make new money.
    — Jeffrey Kopp,MacKenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of neatly
Adverb
  • The right person would ably balance greenlight authority with maintaining Netflix’s biggest talent relationships.
    — Josef Adalian, Vulture, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Zeller sets this up ably by incorporating the sledgehammer blows of the builder hired by Toby into percussive passages of Volker Bertelmann’s ominous score.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of ably
Adverb
  • Lace was expertly placed with thoughtful trims and underlays to create detailed masterpieces.
    — Shelby Wax, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Hadid wore the Vivaia Carol Jogger Sneakerinas on a chopper ride, expertly styling them with a beige barn jacket, little black dress, and suede shoulder bag.
    — Annie Blackman, InStyle, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of expertly

Browse Nearby Words

competent
competently
competes
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Cite this Entry

“Competently.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/competently. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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