might

1 of 2

auxiliary verb

past tense of may

1
used to express permission, liberty, probability, or possibility in the past
The president might do nothing without the board's consent.
2
used to say that something is possible
We might get there before it rains.
I might go, but then again, I might not.
3
used to express a present condition contrary to fact
If you were older you might understand.
4
a
used as a polite alternative to may
Might I ask who is calling?
b
used as a polite alternative to ought or should
You might at least apologize.
I might have known she'd be late.

might

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: the power, authority, or resources wielded (as by an individual or group)
b(1)
: bodily strength
(2)
: the power, energy, or intensity of which one is capable
ran with all her might
striving with might and main
2
dialect : a great deal
Choose the Right Synonym for might

power, force, energy, strength, might mean the ability to exert effort.

power may imply latent or exerted physical, mental, or spiritual ability to act or be acted upon.

the awesome power of flowing water

force implies the actual effective exercise of power.

used enough force to push the door open

energy applies to power expended or capable of being transformed into work.

a worker with boundless energy

strength applies to the quality or property of a person or thing that makes possible the exertion of force or the withstanding of strain, pressure, or attack.

use weight training to build your strength

might implies great or overwhelming power or strength.

the belief that might makes right

Examples of might in a Sentence

Noun an impressive display of military might the legal might of the government
Recent Examples on the Web
Auxiliary verb
In the 1970s and 1980s, researchers set out to find signals that might precede earthquakes, looking at a hodgepodge of cues like animal behavior, radon emissions and electromagnetic signals. Pranshu Verma, Washington Post, 7 Feb. 2023 Early corporate behavior and statements from executives suggest that companies might be accepting the 1% tax as a cost of doing business, not changing their buyback practices. Richard Rubin, WSJ, 7 Feb. 2023 Urban living or access to green space rather than air pollution might be driving changes in mental health, Hayes said. Karen Weintraub, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 2023 The last few days might have helped the recruiting pitch, too. Tim Reynolds, Sun Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2023 Larry Bird had a rivalry that brought them both multiple championships and might have saved the NBA in the 1980′s. Tim Reynolds, Hartford Courant, 6 Feb. 2023 Several theories from neuroscience and psychology can point to why some people might be particularly primed to enjoy gambling. Fortune, 6 Feb. 2023 The state’s forfeiture law allows police to seize money, property, and other assets that might be linked to a crime. Nick Stoico, BostonGlobe.com, 6 Feb. 2023 Yeoh’s co-star, Ke Huy Quan, is the overwhelming favorite to win the supporting actor Oscar, and some might think that’s sufficient reward for the film. Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2023
Noun
China unleashed the full might of its solar energy industry last year. Keith Bradsher, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2024 New coaches Dan + Shay are already using the full might of their double chair for this season of The Voice. Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2024 The paradox is that many of these critics, while reviling Trump’s tactics, rhetoric and motives, actually agree with his central point: Europe has for too long depended on the United States’ military might and geopolitical influence. Alexander Smith, NBC News, 23 Feb. 2024 Popular uprisings were still common, however, and whatever uneasy truce prevailed was enforced by the military might of Rome. Elizabeth Heath, Discover Magazine, 17 Feb. 2024 Detroit, with its industrial might and sizable population of German immigrants, was the logical place to base her operations. Jack Kresnak, Detroit Free Press, 21 Jan. 2024 The film may come as a surprise to consumers of Western media, accustomed to seeing Ukraine presented in relatively straightforward terms as the plucky underdog resisting the might of Moscow. Catherine Bray, Variety, 17 Feb. 2024 The Trump, DeSantis and Haley campaigns have been studying the impact of the storm for any potential advantage, with unaligned political strategists calling the cold — with subzero highs for the day — an unusual test of both natural enthusiasm and organizational might in the race’s final days. Shane Goldmacher, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2024 Trump and his top military leaders clashed over Trump’s suggestion of using military might to quell protests in the wake of George Floyd’s murder in Minneapolis in summer 2020. Angele Latham, USA TODAY, 5 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'might.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Auxiliary verb

Middle English, from Old English meahte, mihte; akin to Old High German mahta, mohta could

Noun

Middle English, from Old English miht; akin to Old High German maht might, magan to be able — more at may entry 1

First Known Use

Auxiliary Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of might was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near might

Cite this Entry

“Might.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/might. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

might

1 of 2

past of may

used as a helping verb to express permission
asked if I might leave
, possibility
we might go, if asked
thought you might try
, or a present condition that does not in fact exist
if you were older, you might understand

might

2 of 2 noun
ˈmīt
: power to do something : force
with all my might
Etymology

Old English meahte, mihte (an auxiliary verb)

Noun

Old English miht "power, might"

More from Merriam-Webster on might

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