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 Adding to this good fortune is that, since the end of World War II, the United States has possessed a powerful nuclear arsenal and unparalleled military, economic, and technological might. Seth G. Jones, Foreign Affairs, 3 Sep. 2026 All this might or might not be pure hallucination, another admits. Robert Rubsam, New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2026 The manufacturing and exporting might of China and the artificial intelligence revolution are heightening concerns of France being left behind economically and technologically. ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026 Still, the polling underscores unions’ growing political might, as candidates from both parties compete for their leaders’ and members’ backing. Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for might
Recent Examples of Synonyms for might
Noun
  • And Majority Leader John Thune still could hold a roll-call vote on a data center power bill that Democrats blocked on Thursday.
    Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Stone and Robert Icke, for example, have both built careers on transplanting old stories into slick contemporary containers, and, in varying degrees, those containers can come packed with power.
    Sara Holdren, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • As people age, our muscle mass declines, reducing strength, mobility and balance.
    Venki Ramakrishnan, Scientific American, 15 Sep. 2026
  • The panel’s findings led to a surge of media interest in the UK and around the world questioning the strength of the prosecution’s case.
    Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Kanin says as much as 58% of energy consumed by industrial processes can be lost as waste heat.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Speakers noted the Republican nominee's oil and gas investments as the energy sector amasses profits while the Iran war drives up fuel costs.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • How development slowdown talks could impact RSI A key challenge labs face — and have been facing essentially since the technology’s inception — is ensuring their safety measures advance alongside the models’ capabilities.
    Kaitlyn Huamani, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026
  • According to a Lockheed Martin news release, the company plans to deliver the first aircraft this year, with full operational capability planned for 2029.
    Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 19 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Preckwinkle aimed the loans at districts with limited borrowing capacity or low cash reserves, offering interest-free money with a simpler application.
    A.D. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Upgrading avionics, computers, and maintenance systems would also squeeze more useful capacity out of the existing fleet.
    Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 19 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • That is sparking a whole industry that markets other peptides — largely unproved and untested — that are said to increase muscle growth, speed recovery and fight aging.
    Jonathan Fahey, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Typical symptoms are a high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle, bone or joint pain, nausea and vomiting, swollen glands, and skin rash.
    Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Might.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/might. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

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