faculty

noun

ˈfa-kəl-tē How to pronounce faculty (audio)
Definition of facultynext
1
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 university says the dean of faculty sent the letter to general counsel for verification and then shared it with the independent review. — Mahsa Saeidi, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026 Support from the faculty was enthusiastic, and Louise worked closely with professors in many departments to ensure the museum’s exhibitions complemented their classes. — Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026 Meanwhile, Cornell's board of trustees just met and the faculty senate is considering a no-confidence vote. — Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026 Non-tenure-track faculty voted in June to join United Faculty-UAW, with about 70% in favor. — Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for faculty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for faculty
  1. power
  2. talent
  3. ability
  4. capability
  5. aptitude
  6. capacity
  7. gift
  8. knack
Noun
  • Ukrainians are bracing for the bitterly cold months ahead as the recent escalation in Russian attacks targets the power grid to deny civilians heat, light and running water.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Simply put, to stay economically competitive, America needs computing power that matches or beats its adversaries’.
    — Neil Chatterjee, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of power
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
  • By increasing its manufacturing capacity, the company aims to strengthen its ability to deliver advanced systems to customers.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Who knows if SpaceX will win the war, but with the amount of spectrum being bought by Musk and his ability to access capital, Starlink will most likely take share from Charter and Comcast first, and then AT & T and Verizon next.
    — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of ability
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 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
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
  • The homeowner didn’t charge him rent, and the truck Buchanan drove was a gift, the woman told agents.
    — Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Abenante-Villa’s parents buried him with gifts, including a basketball jersey and sports cards.
    — Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of gift
Noun
  • The teams also have found a knack for knowing when to trade players to maximize their returns.
    — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Romo carved out new terrain at CBS Sports after revealing a knack for predicting game play — all but forcing CBS to re-sign the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback to a multi-season pact in 2020 valued at around $17 million a year.
    — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of knack

Browse Nearby Words

faculties
faculty
fad
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Cite this Entry

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

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about faculty

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