the powers that be
idiom
: the people who decide what is allowed or acceptable in a group, organization, etc.
The students wanted to have a big party, but the powers that be didn't approve.
Examples of the powers that be in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Whether riders need audio is debated among the powers that be at MotoGP, and among fans.
—
Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 6 Oct. 2025
Sherri Shepherd has some words with the powers that be over at Dancing With the Stars.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Sep. 2025
Because, the powers that be in the Democrat Party don’t want poor Katie.
—John Phillips, Oc Register, 17 Sep. 2025
Namely, that the world is full of structural injustice so deeply entrenched that a single protagonist cannot effect lasting and meaningful change against the powers that be.
—Nathaniel Moore
september 10, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the powers that be
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Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 6 Oct. 2025
Sherri Shepherd has some words with the powers that be over at Dancing With the Stars.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Sep. 2025
Because, the powers that be in the Democrat Party don’t want poor Katie.
—John Phillips, Oc Register, 17 Sep. 2025
Namely, that the world is full of structural injustice so deeply entrenched that a single protagonist cannot effect lasting and meaningful change against the powers that be.
—Nathaniel Moore
september 10, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the powers that be
Cite this Entry
“The powers that be.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20powers%20that%20be. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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