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

Relevance

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 Waiting too long could jeopardize your ability to recover a loss. — Liz Weston, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026 But the head of aviation security at the Transportation Ministry, Dvir Rubenstien, told Army Radio that the ministry relies on local security checks and does not have the tools or the ability to run checks on each passenger on every flight. — ABC News, 4 Oct. 2026 But, if California is any indication, proposing a wealth tax will alienate the tech donors who have been crucial to the Democrats’ ability to compete with Republicans in some races. — Nicholas Lemann, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026 This and that After years of often playing with an undersized power rotation player next to Adebayo, Spoelstra conceded last week that the ability to play more big lineups comes with psychological benefits. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 4 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 island has hosted a Ground Self-Defense Force garrison since 2016, while Tokyo has plans to add additional air-defense capabilities in the coming years.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2026
  • The South Korean military, which often accuses North Korea of exaggerating its military capabilities, did not immediately comment on Kim's claims.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of capability
Noun
  • We’ve been told that Ultraviolette is preparing for considerably greater production volumes for now, with the company having announced plans for a new manufacturing facility in India with an eventual capacity of up to 500,000 bikes a year.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 Oct. 2026
  • No, the dunks and 3s and assists didn't count in any official capacity.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 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
  • In the show, eight celebrity city dwellers with almost no survival skills are dropped into a remote natural environment for 18 days.
    — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Slam Frank’s provocations, however, are leavened by Fox’s genuine skill with and respect for musical theater.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of skill
Noun
  • After years of cruel dismissal from his grandfather, Kang Seung-woon (Jung Jin-young), and relentless pressure from his mother, Kang Ji-hye (Yoon Se-ah), Pi-o doubts his talent.
    — Kayti Burt, Time, 6 Oct. 2026
  • There's a comedy club right next door for a night of hilarity with top-drawer talent and occasional special guests.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of talent
Noun
  • 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
  • But their aptitude and affection for the sport would be passed down through two different families in two different states, from one generation to the next, before reaching Luke and his brothers.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 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 9 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on ability

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ability

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All