as in masterfully
in a skillful or expert manner
performed the piece at least competently, if not superbly
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Recent Examples of competently
Power loves a vacuum, and Valerie competently steps in to work with other professionals and guide the process to good, if not great, success.
—
Jennifer Silverman, Rolling Stone, 29 Mar. 2026
But the speed and the solidarity with which states came forward suggest the states don’t feel like the DOJ acted competently.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Wrike is a deeply customizable project management app that competently handles everything from building forms to proofing, though its costs can be high.
—Ruben Circelli, PC Magazine, 10 Mar. 2026
Nevertheless, Mustaine’s leadership ensures that Megadeth has all the hallmarks of a competently forgettable Megadeth album.
—Eli Enis, Pitchfork, 26 Jan. 2026
Public programs retain support only when voters believe they are competently managed, and this story suggests the opposite.
—Matt K. Lewis, Mercury News, 13 Jan. 2026
But the price tag will rise by another $10 billion, the completion date will be pushed off to 2050, and people will begin to fondly reminisce about how competently the Big Dig project was run.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
And why can’t the state competently handle major tech projects?
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 30 Nov. 2025
On the Longhorns’ lone scoring drive, Manning performs competently, but running back Quintrevion Wisner does the heavy lifting with a 37-yard run.
—Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Oct. 2025
Jennifer Silverman, Rolling Stone, 29 Mar. 2026
But the speed and the solidarity with which states came forward suggest the states don’t feel like the DOJ acted competently.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Wrike is a deeply customizable project management app that competently handles everything from building forms to proofing, though its costs can be high.
—Ruben Circelli, PC Magazine, 10 Mar. 2026
Nevertheless, Mustaine’s leadership ensures that Megadeth has all the hallmarks of a competently forgettable Megadeth album.
—Eli Enis, Pitchfork, 26 Jan. 2026
Public programs retain support only when voters believe they are competently managed, and this story suggests the opposite.
—Matt K. Lewis, Mercury News, 13 Jan. 2026
But the price tag will rise by another $10 billion, the completion date will be pushed off to 2050, and people will begin to fondly reminisce about how competently the Big Dig project was run.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
And why can’t the state competently handle major tech projects?
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 30 Nov. 2025
On the Longhorns’ lone scoring drive, Manning performs competently, but running back Quintrevion Wisner does the heavy lifting with a 37-yard run.
—Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for competently
Adverb
-
Before things unraveled, Latz pitched masterfully, and the Rangers swatted a pair of home runs in regulation to even the season’s first series and win 5-4 on a chilly afternoon.—
Shawn McFarland,
Dallas Morning News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Jeffries then masterfully wrapped Copeland’s hair into what was meant to appear like an infinite knot.—
Tori Crowther,
Allure,
16 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Gorton skillfully depicts the grueling decades-long struggle of Sanger (the icon, in this telling) and Dennett (the idealist) to make birth control available and legal, as well as their interpersonal competition for power and influence.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Adriana Lambarri’s costumes skillfully replicate the actor’s garb in the film while composer/sound designer Jazer Sibley-Schwartz channels at the outset a knowing nod to John Williams’ indelible, two-note cadence of menacing notes announcing the shark’s arrival.—
Christopher Smith,
Oc Register,
10 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
The United States does not produce enough of it to meet demand, so the US is importing it as well.—
Alan Gionet,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Scorpio October 23 – November 21 Certain truths are best expressed in metaphor or art at present.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
3 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Apple's iMac is the pre-eminent all-in-one on the market, a stylish and slick computer that's designed for creative work but capably handles entertainment and productivity as well.—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The Broncos are high on rising third-year tackle Frank Crum, who filled in capably in spot snaps in 2025 when McGlinchey was temporarily banged up.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
7 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Students who are not reading proficiently by third grade are far less likely to graduate from high school, and more likely to wind up incarcerated.—
Daniel L Gordon,
Daily News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
All three of her children are now reading proficiently and practice their skills every night.—
Lina Ruiz,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Unlike regular plugs that go over the drain, TubShroom and ShowerShroom fit inside, neatly collecting hair around it.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Griffin cuts a particularly interesting figure at the moment because his beliefs don’t match up neatly with either party—starting with free trade.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
31 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Saturday’s second episode, for which ratings dipped slightly, featured a cold open roasting the former Prince Andrew and was ably steered by host Jamie Dornan, who appeared in sketches including a horror comedy about Jools Holland.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
30 Mar. 2026
-
String player Matt Worley often stole the spotlight, making his banjo sound like a mandolin, while cellist Barney Morse-Brown ably covered the bass role, plucking the strings more often than bowing them.—
Thor Christensen,
Dallas Morning News,
19 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Now the pair are filling the former Slab space with trout that swims in chive beurre blanc; burgers crowned with a range of French cheeses; and expertly made baguettes that receive smears of butter d’Isigny.—
Stephanie Breijo,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The chaos is still an acceptable price to pay for Birney’s expertly offputting performance, a shrill mania that gets increasingly comic over time.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Competently.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/competently. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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