FACULTY Synonyms: 110 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

faculty

noun

ˈfa-kəl-tē

Definition of faculty next

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 Jones received a series of scrapbooks from Clara Branch, a former faculty member at the Fashion Institute of Technology, as well as Jones’s mentor. —

Aemilia Madden, Vogue, 3 Feb. 2025 Lucas promised that another faculty member would supervise Muni in future rehearsals, according to the lawsuit. —

Sara Coello, Charlotte Observer, 3 Feb. 2025 The University of Texas at Arlington asked students and faculty to evacuate the Continuing Education building for about an hour on Thursday afternoon, Jan. 30, because of a fire at a natural gas well site on campus. —

Amy McDaniel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Jan. 2025 Last spring, police officers arrested thousands and students and faculty after colleges called them to clear pro-Palestinian tent encampments that had popped up on campuses across the country. —

Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for faculty

Recent Examples of Synonyms for faculty

Noun

For all of Trump’s abuses of power in his first term, culminating in his attempt to subvert the 2020 election, his administration never attempted to openly defy a court order despite losing, by one analysis, over three quarters of the federal cases it was involved in.

— New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2025
With only around 60,000 Gaelic-language speakers left in the world, The Island is doing wonders for representation and at the same time constitutes so much more — an entertaining, twisty crime thriller featuring a dose of star power in the form of Industry breakout Sagar Radia.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 11 Feb. 2025