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 Republicans are confident about their ability to persuade voters in key states, said Bernadette Breslin, a spokesperson for the National Republican Senatorial Committee. — Justine McDaniel, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026 Beyond the cities The impact of tariffs, regulation — and the national economy as a whole –- has the ability to make or break rural communities across the district. — Saige Miller, NPR, 11 Oct. 2026 If the Royals are serious about revamping their bullpen, both pitchers have the ability to significantly bolster the entire unit. — Kansas City Star, 11 Oct. 2026 Her ability to find Howard and Reese—or attack the basket herself—will be important against Golden State’s league-leading defense. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 11 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
  • The latest contract modification will add two craft to the Navy’s ongoing procurement program, supporting its efforts to maintain and strengthen the capabilities required for modern amphibious operations.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Still, the satellite’s cooling capabilities mean Google will run their chips for 15 minutes at a time before shutting them down to cool off, NPR reported.
    — Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of capability
Noun
  • Buntar plans to use the funding to increase manufacturing capacity, recruit engineering and operations talent, and expand beyond intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance into other defense and civilian applications.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2026
  • The 16,900-capacity arena, also home to the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks, has hosted the Dream’s playoff appearances this season.
    — Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of capacity
Noun
  • Davidson said the leaders-in-residence will interact with students and faculty through classroom visits, campus discussions and public events.
    — Nora O’Neill October 7, Charlotte Observer, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The index drew responses from over 100,000 college students, faculty and staff nationwide.
    — Lauren Schuster, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of faculty
Noun
  • There are so many people out there, such as myself, that really value those skills and are looking to work with folks like you.
    — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
  • His wife, Elizabeth, helps out with her cooking skills during preseason practices.
    — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of skill
Noun
  • Games Can’t Gamble on Talent Opportunities to develop emerging talent are becoming harder to find, particularly in video games, van Beek said.
    — Callum McLennan, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Some from the more traditional world struggled to understand a TV and film production company that began life as a music video producer and doubled as a commercials maker and talent house for directors.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 12 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 14 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on ability

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ability

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