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

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

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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

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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 This legal action follows a similar lawsuit against the Texas Tech University System and widespread protests by students and faculty. — Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026 He eventually was offered a teaching job, and rented a place in Zuma II, a neighborhood just outside the university’s gates where many faculty members live. — Alexis Okeowo, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026 The policy, seen as discriminatory against the LGBTQ community, has drawn criticism from current students, alumni, former faculty and other community members. — Devna Bose, Charlotte Observer, 3 Aug. 2026 Brown, who died in 1997, was a predecessor of Grabner’s on the SAIC faculty. — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for faculty

Recent Examples of Synonyms for faculty

Noun

His brand shone as a symbol of national pride and soft power.

— Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
Damianos also hailed the entry of French investment company Meridiam as a backer to the Great Seas Interconnector project, an electricity cable that will connect Europe’s power grid with that of Cyprus and eventually Israel.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of power

Noun

Shawn Vanderhoven is a partner at The Wiseman Group, a thought leadership and consulting firm working with many of the biggest and brightest companies in the S&P and focusing on developing a leader's ability to fully utilize their people’s talent.

— Big Think, Big Think, 6 Aug. 2026
The community came together Wednesday to wish the young talent good luck at a send-off celebration and pizza party.

— Allen Devlin, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of talent

Noun

When jobs change quickly, the ability to learn, adjust, and respond gives you an advantage.

— Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
With the leading models becoming ever more powerful, their ability to act in malicious ways is turning into a major threat for corporations and governments, especially as the risk involves hacking into critical computer systems and infrastructure.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of ability

Noun

The anniversary coincided with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi ’s government revising the country's defense policy to further bolster the military's offensive capability.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026
Each sides’ offensive capabilities now appear to be outstripping their air defenses, analysts say.

— Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of capability

Noun

After all, this golf pro and I – given my low golf aptitude at the time – would be spending a lot of time together.

— Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 6 Aug. 2026
Interrogations into rabbit vampirism aside, Bunnicula compelled me most because its narrator is a dog—one who, despite his aptitude for writing, cannot otherwise communicate with people.

— Rachel Vorona Cote, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026

Definition of aptitude

Noun

That means investing in domestic manufacturing capacity, strengthening supply chains for critical components and accelerating the deployment of American robotics across industry.

— Ariyan Kabir, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2026
While Blanche has already been leading the department in an acting capacity, his confirmation could free him to pursue the administration’s agenda even more aggressively.

— Alanna Durkin Richer, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of capacity

Noun

Trees are more than a gift to communities, according to new research from the University of Illinois and Professor William Sullivan's team.

— Tara Molina, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026
People may respond more warmly to you, but the real gift is feeling more at home in your own presence.

— Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of gift

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faculty

fad

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“Faculty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/faculty. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of faculty

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Synonyms of faculty

noun

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‘Faculty’ and ‘Facility’: A...

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on faculty

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Word of the Day

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7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

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