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 Yet China, for all its economic might, has not built a security architecture or normative order that other states trust. Pratap Bhanu Mehta, Time, 15 Jan. 2026 At Lockheed Martin, Hegseth said that money will be spent re-establishing America’s military might, stressing that the administration is looking to unleash the country’s defense resources in the preservation of peace. Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Jan. 2026 And, rather than sit on this success, Plankey is busy reconstituting Coast Guard training infrastructure, exploring a second Coast Guard boot camp to continue growing most cost-effective arm of America’s maritime might. Craig Hooper, Forbes.com, 8 Jan. 2026 Someone who seems frighteningly erudite might, at this very moment, be kicking themselves for being unable to read the French canon in its original language. Emma Sarappo, The Atlantic, 2 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for might
Recent Examples of Synonyms for might
Noun
  • The power of the crop; or, when bad taste comes all the way back around to being good taste.
    Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 2 Feb. 2026
  • Nebraska law says that while in active service of the state, or at the direction of the governor, National Guard members are peace officers with power to prevent crime, arrest suspects, and execute the process of law.
    Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 1 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The relative strength index, or RSI, is a technical indicator that measures the speed and magnitude of recent price moves.
    Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2026
  • The research relied on metrics covering loneliness, depressive symptoms, memory, and grip strength to gauge physical health.
    Tristan Bove, Fortune, 29 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Russia struck Ukrainian energy assets in several regions of Ukraine on Thursday but there were no strikes on those facilities overnight, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 31 Jan. 2026
  • Beijing has spent decades growing its trade ties and bankrolling projects in the region, to boost transportation links and cut energy costs – cementing its own influence along the way.
    Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 31 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The scrutiny from the EU comes after Grok sparked a global backlash by allowing users, through its AI image generation and editing capabilities, to undress people, putting women and girls in transparent bikinis or revealing clothing.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Chinese competitors like DeepSeek have demonstrated that technical capabilities can be matched quickly.
    Steven Wolfe Pereira, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Despite messy road conditions around Boston following Sunday’s winter storm, the crowd at TD Garden was near capacity.
    Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Most organizations have no capacity for generative thinking.
    Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • There are muscles behind your skin and face, and my mother did it her whole life.
    E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
  • With osteomalacia and rickets, a person may experience throbbing bone discomfort and muscle weakness and pain.
    Mark Stibich, Verywell Health, 30 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Might.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/might. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.

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