power 1 of 2

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2
3
as in faculty
a natural ability of the mind or body dogs have a very highly developed power of smell

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4
as in fuel
something with a usable capacity for doing work nuclear power

Synonyms & Similar Words

power

2 of 2

verb

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
The new rules, which also target rare earth minerals used to produce advanced semiconductors, could also put a pause on the global boom in artificial intelligence, which counts on these chips to power its training. John Liu, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2025 REEVs use power from the battery to power the vehicle forward. Liam Rappleye, Freep.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
Japan's parliament elected Takaichi on Tuesday, several weeks after she was chosen to lead the conservative Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which has spent much of the last seven decades in power. NPR, 21 Oct. 2025 The Cubs need to do everything in their power to re-sign him. Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for power
Recent Examples of Synonyms for power
Noun
  • Johnson reportedly regained control of the vehicle and attempted to flee again, but police executed a ramming technique, known as a tactical vehicle intervention, to disable the vehicle, the release says.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.
    Mark Carey, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Mir has more than 25 years of capital markets experience in energy infrastructure.
    Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Aalo Atomics is also hoping to build a data center on the same site, using the energy generated by its SMR to power its operations.
    Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 17 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Rennison is a professor emerita and former associate dean of faculty affairs at the University of Colorado Denver School of Public Affairs.
    Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 20 Oct. 2025
  • An Illinois State University faculty member was arrested after he was accused of flipping a Turning Point USA student group's table and tearing down promotional flyers on campus last week.
    Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • While the airports are run by the county government, their funding comes from fuel sales, retail revenue and the fees airlines pay to run flights in and out of Miami.
    Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2025
  • The deal allows Aramco to raise external funding to support its Jafurah gas project — a key part of the company’s plan to increase gas production by 60% to meet rising demand for the fuel.
    Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Critics said Trump had pushed for the extravagant parade not to commemorate the armed forces, but as a display of his own vanity.
    NPR, NPR, 19 Oct. 2025
  • He is known around Sacramento for championing LGBT rights, combating climate change, and pushing for fair housing.
    Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 18 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • In exchange for some $200 million per season, NBC and Peacock will assume dominion over the Sunday Night Baseball package from which ESPN uncoupled itself in February.
    Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 24 Sep. 2025
  • There is only one holistic system of systems, one vast and immane, interwoven, interacting, multivariate, multinational dominion of dollars.
    Merrill Markoe, Rolling Stone, 23 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • In a struggle that eventually leads to Jayson holding Maeve hostage outside, Grasso musters strength and shoots Jayson in the head, in a small act of vengeance for Lizzie.
    Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Meantime, continued strength at LongHorn has been driven by improving taste, service and quality metrics, per the analyst.
    Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • L3Harris is partnering with Bombardier, Israel Aerospace Industries’ ELTA Systems and Korean Air to provide this advanced capability.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2025
  • However, it is not only seen in the field as an innovation that not only increases the capabilities of VTOL aircraft, but also one that is scalable enough to produce a whole new family of drones.
    David Szondy October 19, New Atlas, 19 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Power.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/power. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.

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