the powers that be

phrase

: 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

By waging an actual war on drugs, the powers that be in Washington are confusing tactical accomplishments with strategic ones. — Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 8 Sep. 2026

Neal not knowing that the media & the powers that be manipulate the news is wild. — David Hookstead Outkick, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2026

But there are also the powers that be who are gaining profit from her loss. — Hunter Ingram, Variety, 4 Sep. 2026

And all the powers that be try to put a sense of inevitability on it. — Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 11 Aug. 2026

Rhymes for the powers that be

• actuary
• antiquary
• bolsheviki
• bronchoscopy
• calliope
• chelicerae
• colposcopy
• covenantee
• cruciferae
• cystoscopy
• diastole
• distributee