Antonyms 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.

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

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

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

1. ability

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

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

Matched Categories

1. • Quality

Princeton's WordNetRate these antonyms:5.0 / 1 vote

1. abilitynoun

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

   Antonyms:
   inability, unfitness

   Synonyms:
   power

2. ability, powernoun

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

   "danger heightened his powers of discrimination"

   Antonyms:
   inability, unfitness

   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

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

1. abilitynoun

   Antonyms:
   inability, incapability

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

How to use ability in a sentence?

1. Kobchai Boonarana:

   Their conditions, we can see that their morale is good but what about their strength and their ability? That's up to the team inside to decide, our job is to keep pumping out water and it is up to the team inside to assess the safety level and whether the kids can travel safely through.

2. Mitch McConnell:

   Our ability to influence this from halfway around the world is limited.

3. Ed Finegold:

   This is not just about a lower cost network, that is part of the overall business case, but the core of their vision is a cloud-native network, which means the ability to roll out services that you would not normally see from mobile operators.

4. Ry Cooder:

   After all is said and done and institutions fail, people still have some ability to care for each other.

5. Nicole Mason:

   We don't have the pandemic under control. Schools and day cares are still closing, and we know that's what's impacting women's ability to reenter the workforce and sustain jobs.

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