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 Voorhees insists this wasn’t just a show of might, but an act of distraction. Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026 Faced with superior military might and forced to scramble after last week’s surprise attack, Iran has turned to — and on — its Gulf State neighbors. Rafi Schwartz, TheWeek, 6 Mar. 2026 So they have been struck with the strength and the sheer might and will of the United States armed forces. Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 6 Mar. 2026 Amidst the Super Bowl festivities, the Bay emphasized its tech might with a new Innovation Summit, which could become an annual tentpole. Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 5 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for might
Recent Examples of Synonyms for might
Noun
  • The star power between the United States and Dominican Republic arguably rivaled any matchup seen on a baseball diamond before.
    Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 16 Mar. 2026
  • Some runways really have that brain chemistry-altering power, and the spectacle that Marc Jacobs created for the Louis Vuitton fall 2012 show is one such example.
    Rosie Jarman, Vogue, 16 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Finally, the defanging of the Iranian menace would also significantly augment the collective strength and abilities of the West with respect to China, which relies heavily on Iranian oil.
    Michael M. Rosen, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
  • Before starting a new exercise program, Culbertson advised seeing a doctor or a physical therapist to make sure there’s nothing neurological causing your loss of grip strength.
    Danielle Zickl, Health, 12 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • White House officials said the Biden-era energy efficiency mandates in HUD and Agriculture departments' guidelines could add up to $9,000 to housing construction costs.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 Mar. 2026
  • This means that even if a fault-tolerant quantum computer becomes available, QPE could still struggle with large molecules because the chance of successfully extracting the correct energy becomes vanishingly small.
    Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 14 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Raytheon’s project, valued at $115 million, aims to strengthen the company’s missile production capabilities and support growing global defense requirements.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 16 Mar. 2026
  • Military campaigns of this kind—especially those aimed not only at degrading military capability but also at creating conditions for political change—unfold in phases.
    Richard Goldberg, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Production plans call for an initial deployment of dozens of units this year, scaling to thousands annually as manufacturing capacity expands.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 16 Mar. 2026
  • Through a long-term agreement, the battery storage facility will provide resource adequacy capacity to Pacific Gas & Electric Company and help support California’s reliability and clean-energy goals.
    Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • While many inside Canada’s national team originally anticipated Davies returning to the national team later this month after the muscle fiber issue, his latest injury has derailed those plans.
    Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
  • Texas Tech star Christian Anderson strained a muscle after slipping in his team’s blowout loss to Iowa State on Thursday.
    Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 13 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Might.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/might. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.

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