power 1 of 2

noun

ˈpau̇(-ə)r How to pronounce power (audio)
Definition of powernext
1
as in control
the right or means to command or control others the emir has nearly complete power over the emirate

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in energy
the ability to exert effort for the accomplishment of a task the corporation has the power to accomplish almost anything you'll need to build a bit more power in order to be a star pitcher

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in faculty
a natural ability of the mind or body dogs have a very highly developed power of smell

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in fuel
something with a usable capacity for doing work nuclear power

Synonyms & Similar Words

power

2 of 2

verb

as in to fuel

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun power contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of power are authority, command, control, dominion, jurisdiction, and sway. While all these words mean "the right to govern or rule or determine," power implies possession of ability to wield force, authority, or influence.

the power to mold public opinion

When can authority be used instead of power?

Although the words authority and power have much in common, authority implies power for a specific purpose within specified limits.

granted the authority to manage her estate

When might command be a better fit than power?

While in some cases nearly identical to power, command implies the power to make arbitrary decisions and compel obedience.

the army officer in command

When would control be a good substitute for power?

The meanings of control and power largely overlap; however, control stresses the power to direct and restrain.

you are responsible for the students under your control

In what contexts can dominion take the place of power?

The words dominion and power are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, dominion stresses sovereign power or supreme authority.

given dominion over all the animals

When could jurisdiction be used to replace power?

The synonyms jurisdiction and power are sometimes interchangeable, but jurisdiction applies to official power exercised within prescribed limits.

the bureau having jurisdiction over parks

Where would sway be a reasonable alternative to power?

In some situations, the words sway and power are roughly equivalent. However, sway suggests the extent of exercised power or influence.

the empire extended its sway over the region

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 power
Noun
That frustration from the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue has been palpable since Trump returned to power in January and became urgently undeniable in the last week. —Philip Elliott, Time, 9 Apr. 2025 Hoover wrote the script with Lauren Levine for the project that focuses on motherhood and the redemptive power of love. —Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
The company soon gained notoriety for building a database of billions of images harvested from the internet without users’ consent to power his company’s facial recognition technology. —David Jeans, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025 Can the culture war—largely powered by memes, ideologies, vibes, and extremely online radicalization—survive the harsh reality of a trade war? —Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for power
Recent Examples of Synonyms for power
  1. control
  2. energy
  3. faculty
  4. fuel
  5. push
  6. dominion
  7. strength
  8. capability
Noun
  • There is also the underlying issue of whether a crypto investor uses a third party for custody at all, or maintains total custody and trading control over their holdings.
    — Trevor Laurence Jockims, CNBC, 6 Apr. 2025
  • The resolution is capped, and the controls seem slow and laggy by modern standards.
    — Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 6 Apr. 2025
Definition of control
Noun
  • Alexander Smirnov was sentenced to six years in prison in January after pleading guilty to lying to his FBI handler about the Biden family's ties to a Ukrainian energy company -- in addition to a series of unrelated tax fraud charges.
    — Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Wade scored 157 points over the last four games, all Heat wins, and turned in a damn-near-perfect performance in the elimination game, playing with relentless energy on both sides of the ball.
    — D. Watkins, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of energy
Noun
  • At college campuses across the country, administrators and faculty members have expressed concern about students’ ability to share their opinions without risking their legal status.
    — Ana Ley, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Student and faculty unions have emerged at the forefront of new resistance to the Trump administration, both in the streets and in court.
    — Hanna Park, CNN Money, 6 Apr. 2025
Definition of faculty
Noun
  • The major driver for the decline in coal use is the economic competition with cheaper and cleaner fuels, such as natural gas and renewables, Ryna Cui, research director for the Center for Global Sustainability at the University of Maryland, told ABC News.
    — Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2025
  • All of this stems from a toxic and mostly invisible danger, largely the product of burning things for fuel and letting the remnant drift into the air and then into us—which is what happens unless the government regulates that process.
    — Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of fuel
Verb
  • Are Puerto Rican filmmakers pushing for this to change?
    — Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2025
  • There are ways to push back against the horrors, but even the most ardent activist among us can’t be protesting 24/7.
    — James Factora, Them., 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of push
Noun
  • Historically, imperialist leaders have used military conquest, economic coercion or diplomatic pressure to expand their dominions, and justified their foreign incursions as civilizing missions, economic opportunities or national security imperatives.
    — Monica Duffy Toft, The Conversation, 20 Feb. 2025
  • Kanye West goes on another antisemitic rant, defends Diddy, declares ‘dominion’ over wife.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2025
Definition of dominion
Noun
  • So, in a different situation our strengths might be perceived as problematic.
    — Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Dwyer has the speed to take the top off of defenses, but his hand strength has also been impressive.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of strength
Noun
  • In recent years, Western policymakers have become particularly concerned about the capabilities of Russia and China to exploit the vulnerabilities of undersea cables.
    — John Calabrese, The Conversation, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Barber also said its completion marked a new level of repair capabilities for advanced stealth fighters.
    — Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of capability

Phrases Containing power

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powdery
power
powerboat
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Cite this Entry

“Power.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/power. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on power

Nglish: Translation of power for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about power

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