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

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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

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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
Natural gas provides power for electricity, and this is the case for 38% of all electricity in the United States. —Kris Delair, New York Daily News, 7 Mar. 2025 The assault injured at least 10 people, including a child, and targeted critical gas production and power facilities. —Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
Athena was expected to operate for about 10 days before powering down as lunar night fell over the spacecraft’s landing site at Mons Mouton, a plateau that lies about 100 miles (160 kilometers) from the south pole. —Jackie Wattles, CNN, 7 Mar. 2025 The base housed 85 to 200 soldiers and was powered by a nuclear reactor. —Karissa Waddick, USA TODAY, 6 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
  • As a majority shareholder, Emerson has a lot of control in this situation.
    — Kenneth Squire, CNBC, 1 Mar. 2025
  • That sense of helplessness and loss of control reminded me of Alzheimer’s disease.
    — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 1 Mar. 2025
Definition of control
Noun
  • Then Curry got hot, and the Warriors fed off his energy.
    — C.J. Holmes, New York Daily News, 7 Mar. 2025
  • The result of this is that prompts take longer to run and require much more energy/money to power.
    — Rahul Gudise, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of energy
Noun
  • Kincaid, like all of the faculty members at FIU who spoke to the Miami Herald, sees the hollowing out of general education as political interference undermining academic freedom.
    — Clara-Sophia Daly, Miami Herald, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Allen Ginsberg, for instance, was a faculty member at Naropa University and co-founded the Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics.
    — Benjamin Adams, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
Definition of faculty
Noun
  • The single-aisle, long-range plane with improved fuel efficiency could open a flood of new transatlantic flights.
    — Maureen O'Hare, CNN, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Speaking on Friday in the Oval Office, Mr. Trump suggested that Iran’s nuclear capabilities — which now include enough near-bomb-grade fuel to produce about six weapons — were reaching a critical point.
    — David E. Sanger, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2025
Definition of fuel
Verb
  • Despite the trifecta, Trump is pushing an expansive view of executive power that questions the role of Congress and the courts to serve as a check over federal agencies.
    — Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Despite its passage the Legislature has pushed back on implementing the law, pointing instead to routine audits of their work conducted by outside agencies and made public via the state’s website and establishing a committee to consider the Auditor’s requests of them.
    — Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald, 4 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
  • There’s an inner strength that comes out when needed.
    — Jordan Greene, People.com, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Executing such an audacious plan takes courage, self-belief, and the ability to capitalise on one’s strengths.
    — David Ferrini, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
Definition of strength
Noun
  • The robot is designed with high flexibility at the waist, 320° of rotation capability, and hollow joint wiring for a lightweight design with high durability and reliability.
    — Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 8 Mar. 2025
  • These aims, in turn, can be viewed through the lens of business capabilities.
    — Forbes, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of capability

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Cite this Entry

“Power.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/power. Accessed 12 Mar. 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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