empower
verb
em·pow·er
im-ˈpau̇(-ə)r 
empowered; empowering; empowers
1
: to give official authority or legal power to
empowered her attorney to act on her behalf
2
: enable sense 1a
… nootropic agents empower the lower amounts of acetylcholine in diseased brains to work overtime …—
Science News
Science News3
: to promote the self-actualization or influence of
The American women's movement has been inspiring and empowering women for nearly 20 years …—Ron Hansen
Ron HansenMembers of our discipline often envision themselves as agents of social change who try to promote critique of dominant ideologies and empower students to become active participants in the larger political world.—Christy Friend
Christy FriendExamples of empower in a Sentence
seeking changes in the workplace that will empower women
the federal agency empowered to collect taxes
Recent Examples on the Web
Today hosts a gentle Moon-Chiron trine, empowering your friendly 11th house and your verbose 3rd house.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 2026
Moïse’s assassination led to unprecedented turmoil in the Caribbean nation, where gang leaders have grown increasingly violent and empowered.
—David Fischer, Sun Sentinel, 10 Mar. 2026
And it has been understood that the Constitution empowers presidents to act quickly in an emergency.
—Sam Gringlas, NPR, 10 Mar. 2026
The organization also will focus on social priorities such as better working conditions for farm workers and empowering women.
—Jennifer Bringle, Sourcing Journal, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for empower
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Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 2026
Moïse’s assassination led to unprecedented turmoil in the Caribbean nation, where gang leaders have grown increasingly violent and empowered.
—David Fischer, Sun Sentinel, 10 Mar. 2026
And it has been understood that the Constitution empowers presidents to act quickly in an emergency.
—Sam Gringlas, NPR, 10 Mar. 2026
The organization also will focus on social priorities such as better working conditions for farm workers and empowering women.
—Jennifer Bringle, Sourcing Journal, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for empower
Cite this Entry
“Empower.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/empower. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
empower
verb
em·pow·er
im-ˈpau̇(-ə)r
: to give official authority or legal power to
Legal Definition
empower
transitive verb
em·pow·er
im-ˈpau̇-ər
: to give official authority or legal power to
no branch of government should be empowered unilaterally to impose a serious penalty—L. H. Tribe
L. H. TribeLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
