Synonyms for ability
əˈbɪl ɪ tiabil·i·ty

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:3.0 / 3 votes

1. ability

   Power is the most general term of this group, including every quality, property, or faculty by which any change, effect, or result is, or may be, produced; as, the power of the legislature to enact laws, or of the executive to enforce them; the power of an acid to corrode a metal; the power of a polished surface to reflect light. Ability is nearly coextensive with power, but does not reach the positiveness and vigor that may be included in the meaning of power, ability often implying latent, as distinguished from active power; we speak of an exertion of power, but not of an exertion of ability. Power and ability include capacity, which is power to receive; but ability is often distinguished from capacity, as power that may be manifested in doing, as capacity is in receiving; one may have great capacity for acquiring knowledge, and yet not possess ability to teach. Efficiency is active power to effect a definite result, the power that actually does, as distinguished from that which may do. Competency is equal to the occasion, readiness prompt for the occasion. Faculty is an inherent quality of mind or body; talent, some special mental ability. Dexterity and skill are readiness and facility in action, having a special end; talent is innate, dexterity and skill are largely acquired. Our abilities include our natural capacity, faculties, and talents, with all the dexterity, skill, and readiness that can be acquired. Efficacy is the power to produce an intended effect as shown in the production of it; as, the efficacy of a drug. Efficiency is effectual agency, competent power; efficiency is applied in mechanics as denoting the ratio of the effect produced to the power expended in producing it; but this word is chiefly used of intelligent agents as denoting the quality that brings all one's power to bear promptly and to the best purpose on the thing to be done. Compare ADDRESS; DEXTERITY; SKILFUL.

   Synonyms:
   aptitude, capability, capacity, cleverness, cogency, competency, dexterity, efficacy, efficiency, energy, expertness, faculty, force, might, power, qualification, readiness, skill, strength, susceptibility, talent

   Antonyms:
   awkwardness, dulness, feebleness, helplessness, imbecility, impotence, inability, inaptitude, incapacity, incompetence, inefficiency, maladroitness, stupidity, unskilfulness, weakness

Complete Dictionary of Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:1.0 / 1 vote

1. ability

   Synonyms:
   power, cleverness, faculty, skill, capacity, talent, expertness, aptitude, dexterity, efficiency, competency, qualification

   Antonyms:
   weakness, incapacity, imbecility, inability, unreadiness, maladroitness

Princeton's WordNetRate these synonyms:5.0 / 1 vote

1. abilitynoun

   the quality of being able to perform; a quality that permits or facilitates achievement or accomplishment

   Synonyms:
   power

   Antonyms:
   inability, unfitness

2. ability, powernoun

   possession of the qualities (especially mental qualities) required to do something or get something done

   "danger heightened his powers of discrimination"

   Synonyms:
   power, exponent, index, major power, great power, might, tycoon, force, magnate, top executive, world power, business leader, powerfulness, mightiness, baron, big businessman, superpower, mogul, office, king

   Antonyms:
   inability, unfitness

Matched Categories

1. • Quality

Editors ContributionRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. fortenoun

   Submitted by Providence on July 15, 2023  

2. prowessnoun

   Submitted by Providence on July 2, 2023  

Dictionary of English SynonymesRate these synonyms:4.0 / 1 vote

1. abilitynoun

   Synonyms:
   power (to execute any thing), ableness, force, potency, might, efficiency, efficacy, strength, energy, skill, skilfulness, dexterity, address, cleverness, ingenuity, talent, aptitude, aptness, knack, expertness, facility, quickness, readiness

2. abilitynoun

   Synonyms:
   qualification, competency, sufficiency

3. abilitynoun

   Synonyms:
   CAPACITY, capability, capableness, faculty, gift, parts, genius, endowment, calibre, forte, turn

Synonyms, Antonyms & Associated WordsRate these synonyms:4.0 / 1 vote

1. abilitynoun

   Synonyms:
   competence, efficiency, aptitude, capacity, skill, proficiency, capability

   Antonyms:
   inability, incapability

PPDB, the paraphrase databaseRate these paraphrases:0.0 / 0 votes

1. List of paraphrases for "ability":

   capacity, capability, capacities, capabilities, fitness, possibility, aptitude, skill, abilities, faculty, proficiency, capable, skills, competence, suitability, opportunity, able, potential, capacity-, power, competency

Suggested Resources

1. Ability

   Ability vs. Capability -- In this Grammar.com article you will learn the differences between the words Ability and Capability.

How to pronounce ability?

How to say ability in sign language?

Usage in printed sourcesFrom: 

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Words popularity by usage frequency

How to use ability in a sentence?

1. Maxim Behar:

   The main feature and top advantage of social media, which has made it such a powerful instrument in the hands of PR experts, is the ability to share - and especially the intriguing possibility of seeing your post go viral. In that case, your post is so catchy and contagiuos that it spreads like an epidemic and can consequently become a pandemic.

2. Henry Steele Commager:

   Change does not necessarily assure progress, but progress implacably requires change. Education is essential to change, for education creates both new wants and the ability to satisfy them.

3. Tom Malinowski:

   It is crazy that your ability to get tested depends on how quickly your county officials acted to tap into a limited supply chain.

4. Alan Joyce:

   We don't have the ability to do that length of duty today so you do need to negotiate that and get the regulator comfortable with it, if the business case works ... (we can) put an order in by the end of this year and have aircraft arriving in 2022.

5. Tom Burt:

   For those who are distrustful, giving them the ability to confirm that their vote got counted, that's where I see a huge potential transformation in trust.