APTITUDE Synonyms: 101 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'aptitude' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of aptitude are bent , faculty , genius , gift , knack , and talent . While all these words mean "a special ability for doing something," 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?

Bent is nearly equal to aptitude but it stresses inclination perhaps more than specific ability. // a family with an artistic bent

Q: When could 'faculty' be used to replace 'aptitude'?

In some situations, the words faculty and aptitude are roughly equivalent. However, faculty applies to an innate or less often acquired ability for a particular accomplishment or function. // a faculty for remembering names

Q: When is it sensible to use 'genius' instead of 'aptitude'?

While in some cases nearly identical to aptitude , genius suggests impressive inborn creative ability. // has no great genius for poetry

Q: When can 'gift' be used instead of 'aptitude'?

The words gift and aptitude can be used in similar contexts, but gift often implies special favor by God or nature. // the gift of singing beautifully

Q: When would 'knack' be a good substitute for 'aptitude'?

The meanings of knack and aptitude largely overlap; however, knack implies a comparatively minor but special ability making for ease and dexterity in performance. // the knack of getting along

Q: When might 'talent' be a better fit than 'aptitude'?

The synonyms talent and aptitude are sometimes interchangeable, but talent suggests a marked natural ability that needs to be developed. // has enough talent to succeed

aptitude

noun

ˈap-tə-ˌtüd

Definition of aptitude next

as in inclination

a habitual attraction to some activity or thing bored teenagers with an aptitude for getting into trouble

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in talent

a special and usually inborn ability has an aptitude for math

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun aptitude differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of aptitude are bent, faculty, genius, gift, knack, and talent. While all these words mean "a special ability for doing something," 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?

Bent is nearly equal to aptitude but it stresses inclination perhaps more than specific ability.

a family with an artistic bent

When could faculty be used to replace aptitude?

In some situations, the words faculty and aptitude are roughly equivalent. However, faculty applies to an innate or less often acquired ability for a particular accomplishment or function.

a faculty for remembering names

When is it sensible to use genius instead of aptitude?

While in some cases nearly identical to aptitude, genius suggests impressive inborn creative ability.

has no great genius for poetry

When can gift be used instead of aptitude?

The words gift and aptitude can be used in similar contexts, but gift often implies special favor by God or nature.

the gift of singing beautifully

When would knack be a good substitute for aptitude?

The meanings of knack and aptitude largely overlap; however, knack implies a comparatively minor but special ability making for ease and dexterity in performance.

the knack of getting along

When might talent be a better fit than aptitude?

The synonyms talent and aptitude are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 aptitude This soldier’s already showing plenty of aptitude for the spy lifestyle. —

Andy Andersen, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2024 Louis Jourdan, Count Dracula (1977) This BBC TV movie is a faithful adaptation of the book, and Jourdan plays a Dracula who teems with ghoulish sophistication as a refined intellectual with an aptitude for language and etymology. —

Celia Mattison, Vulture, 27 Dec. 2024 Similarly, Remy’s middle-class upbringing doesn’t account for his own aptitude, which isn’t dissimilar from Ayden’s, even if Ayden is further along with his welding skills. —

Rachel Kushner, Harper's Magazine, 2 Dec. 2024 His bottom line was that achievement or failure follows entirely from that innate aptitude. —

Arthur Caplan, Scientific American, 17 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for aptitude

Recent Examples of Synonyms for aptitude

Noun

But Trump has shown no inclination to adhere to the separation of powers that gives a lead role to Congress.

— David G. Savage, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2025
Western inclinations were prevalent, especially in the tiny floral details that were emblazoned throughout the number.

— Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 3 Feb. 2025