might

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 For all the financial might, there was hardly any hype or grandeur. Justin Worland, Time, 23 Sep. 2025 Christophe rightly suspected Bonaparte’s deliberate display of military might. Marlene L. Daut september 22, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2025 Was this supposed to be a show of American military might? Seth Harp, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025 Now they are being called on by their leader to adapt to a grim reality of military might. Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for might
Recent Examples of Synonyms for might
Noun
  • This is a sister organization to the Heritage Foundation, the think tank behind Project 2025—a sweeping conservative policy blueprint aimed at reshaping the federal government by expanding presidential power, dismantling parts of the civil service, and rolling back regulations across agencies.
    Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Additional revelations hint of Kiri's evolving powers, the menacing Quaritch bonding with Varang to help defeat the Na'vi, a spectacular air/sea clash between the Ash People, the RDA, and the Na’vi, and Spider threatening to kill someone offscreen.
    Jeff Spry, Space.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Linebacker Zaire Franklin could not care less about the Colts’ strength of schedule.
    James Boyd, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Another important strength of the category may look at first like a contradiction.
    Rebecca Ackermann, The Atlantic, 5 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • His big, bright smile, infectious energy and eternal positivity created a presence that continually uplifted others.
    Reice Shipley, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Oct. 2025
  • But sure enough, the artist born Frederick John Philip Gibson enlisted Amy Taylor and company for his drum n’ bass-inflected latest single, harnessing the group’s energy and then exploding it with Gesaffelstein-like sirens and typically all-over-the-place vocal triggers.
    Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Otherwise, the features and capabilities of Yubico's Bio keys are the same as the $29 Editors' Choice-award-winning Yubico Security Key C NFC.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Future plans include linking these with hydrogen technologies to expand capabilities from short-term balancing to seasonal storage.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Late public school buses and needing to take care of an occasionally sick child, along with at capacity or costly child care centers, contributed to her precarious employment.
    Elizabeth B. Kim, Cincinnati Enquirer, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Bridgestone, on the other hand, has a capacity of 20,000.
    Melonee Hurt, Nashville Tennessean, 6 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Previous waves of automation mostly replaced muscle; this one replaces judgment.
    Toby Stuart, Time, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Most weight training also raises your heart rate, and most cardio exercises help build muscles throughout your body.
    Heidi Moawad, Verywell Health, 29 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Might.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/might. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on might

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