might

Definition of mightnext

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun might contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of might are energy, force, power, and strength. While all these words mean "the ability to exert effort," might implies great or overwhelming power or strength.

the belief that might makes right

When is energy a more appropriate choice than might?

While in some cases nearly identical to might, energy applies to power expended or capable of being transformed into work.

a worker with boundless energy

Where would force be a reasonable alternative to might?

The synonyms force and might are sometimes interchangeable, but force implies the actual effective exercise of power.

used enough force to push the door open

When would power be a good substitute for might?

The words power and might are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, power may imply latent or exerted physical, mental, or spiritual ability to act or be acted upon.

the awesome power of flowing water

When could strength be used to replace might?

The meanings of strength and might largely overlap; however, 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

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 might Elsewhere, multiple senior bankers at Western lenders argued that the continent’s fragmented financial markets undermined its financial might, at a cost to European startups in the tech and energy sectors that were consequently unable to compete for financing to the extent of US counterparts. Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 25 June 2026 The election will offer some measure of the political might of the two AI industry factions. ABC News, 23 June 2026 All of this was a source of ongoing friction; and the glue that held the USSR together, military might and communist ideology, had been crumbling for some time. Literary Hub, 22 June 2026 But without legislative might, the lawmakers' options to go further are dwindling. Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 20 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for might
Recent Examples of Synonyms for might
Noun
  • Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan and Saudi Arabia reported raising alarms or fending off Iranian attacks, as Kuwait said another power and water desalination plant was hit.
    Jomana Karadsheh, CNN Money, 19 July 2026
  • The strikes injured several people at the oil facility and caused a fire at the desalination plant, forcing several power generation units offline.
    Jon Gambrell, Fortune, 18 July 2026
Noun
  • Wall Street looked past geopolitical tensions with benchmark indexes rising on Big Tech strength and signs of easing inflation, even as Middle East hostilities escalated.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 16 July 2026
  • Testosterone is a hormone produced primarily in the testicles that helps maintain men’s bone density, fat distribution, muscle strength and mass, facial and body hair, red blood cell production and sperm production.
    Joey Garrison, USA Today, 16 July 2026
Noun
  • Wisconsin has committed up to $55 million in incentives to help Realta Fusion build its new headquarters and fusion research facility in Madison, a move aimed at strengthening the state’s position in the emerging fusion energy industry.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 16 July 2026
  • Sixty-eight percent of likely voters told PPIC the cost of energy — both in utility bills and the price of gasoline at the pump — were a big problem.
    Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 16 July 2026
Noun
  • Ukraine’s military and civil society have become the experts among Western allies, while Russia and Iran have developed their own capabilities.
    Daria Tarasova-Markina, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
  • Skyroot Aerospace successfully launched its Vikram-1 rocket to low Earth orbit (LEO) early Saturday morning (July 18), making India just the third country with a private orbital launch capability.
    Mike Wall, Space.com, 18 July 2026
Noun
  • The result — more non-essential referrals to specialists who are also capacity constrained.
    Torie Bosch, STAT, 18 July 2026
  • The initial phase of the project will produce approximately 10,000 tonnes per year, with plans to expand capacity to 25,000 tonnes annually.
    Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 18 July 2026
Noun
  • Symptoms include fever, chills, cough, muscle aches, headaches, fatigue, confusion and, in some cases, diarrhea.
    Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 19 July 2026
  • Protein can make your morning coffee more filling and help support muscle health.
    Trista Chan, Health, 19 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Might.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/might. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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