Able
Able adjective - Having the required skills for an acceptable level of performance.
Usage example: looking for an able and reliable assistant
Competent is a synonym for able in capable topic. In some cases you can use "Competent" instead an adjective "Able", when it comes to topics like ability, character trait, effective, proficient. popular alternative
Nearby Word: ability
Competent
Competent adjective - Having the required skills for an acceptable level of performance.
Usage example: any competent mechanic should be able to fix that
Able is a synonym for competent in ability topic. You can use "Able" instead an adjective "Competent", if it concerns topics such as means, effective, capable, proficient. popular alternative
Mutual synonyms
Both words in one sentence
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Crouching Moron, Hidden Badass: Despite his overall clumsiness, Chapulin would sometimes be quite able and competent against the villains, especially when he had the use of his gadgets.
Source: Series / El Chapulín Colorado -
Apparently, Steel's ineptitude eventually got him replaced by Feral's more competent and able-bodied niece Felina, and he has not been seen since.
Source: Western Animation / SWAT Kats - The idea is to let characters be fairly competent and able to maintain their skills and gear without having to go into the minutiae of whether they know how to do so.
Source: Possession Implies Mastery
Cite this Source
Competent and Able. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/able/competent
Able & Competent. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/able/competent>.
Competent or Able. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/able/competent.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "able" and "competent" have occurred on timeline