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
Starting mid-year, clean energy will power the multinational company’s three factories located in the cities of Maracanaú, Pacajus, and Natal. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 14 Mar. 2025 Foundational technologies to power multi-system autonomous fleets Ark Robotics revealed that the decision-making speed of such a platform would greatly exceed any existing human-in-the-loop systems and create a true asymmetrical advantage for its users. —Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 14 Mar. 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
  • But lawmakers in different countries exercise different degrees of political control.
    — Ana Carolina Garriga, The Conversation, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Bailey’s lawsuit is the latest in a prolonged fight between city and state officials over funding of the Kansas City Police Department, which is under state control.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 18 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
  • Charging rates are adjusted to reduce heat (energy loss) and prolong battery life (adaptive charging).
    — Simon Hill, Wired News, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of energy
Noun
  • This is certainly true at my company; much of our work is conducted online, and many of our faculty members, who live across the U.S. and internationally, have never met in person.
    — Brady Gilliam, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
  • During his visit, Hegseth addressed more than 4,000 of the academy’s students and faculty, according to an online story by DoD News.
    — Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 17 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
  • The upcoming show will explore the story of Black dandyism as a sartorial declaration and a tool for pushing (and examining) social and political change, both historically and in contemporary society.
    — Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 21 Apr. 2025
  • The Justice Department is pushing for several changes, Dahlquist said on Monday during the trial.
    — Patrick Maguire, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2025
Definition of push
Noun
  • As America steers the rickety tricycle of its fading dominion toward the boundless horizon of partisan derangement and endless griping, football will once again go about its job of trying to distract us from whatever the government decides to get up to in 2025.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 3 Jan. 2025
  • Stark, strategic realities require we the people of the United States disengage from the cabal that is attempting to assert dominion over our country.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2025
Definition of dominion
Noun
  • Getty Images That said, international and U.S. stock returns tend to ebb and flow in cycles, with each showing multi-year periods of relative strength and weakness.
    — Greg Iacurci,Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Today's demonstrations show the strength of our growing movement, powered by people of all walks of life coming together to demand investments in our communities, not more cages.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of strength
Noun
  • Barber also said its completion marked a new level of repair capabilities for advanced stealth fighters.
    — Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2025
  • 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
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 25 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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