power 1 of 2

1
2
3
as in faculty
a natural ability of the mind or body dogs have a very highly developed power of smell

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4
as in fuel
something with a usable capacity for doing work nuclear power

Synonyms & Similar Words

power

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun power contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of power are authority, command, control, dominion, jurisdiction, and sway. While all these words mean "the right to govern or rule or determine," power implies possession of ability to wield force, authority, or influence.

the power to mold public opinion

When can authority be used instead of power?

Although the words authority and power have much in common, authority implies power for a specific purpose within specified limits.

granted the authority to manage her estate

When might command be a better fit than power?

While in some cases nearly identical to power, command implies the power to make arbitrary decisions and compel obedience.

the army officer in command

When would control be a good substitute for power?

The meanings of control and power largely overlap; however, control stresses the power to direct and restrain.

you are responsible for the students under your control

In what contexts can dominion take the place of power?

The words dominion and power are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, dominion stresses sovereign power or supreme authority.

given dominion over all the animals

When could jurisdiction be used to replace power?

The synonyms jurisdiction and power are sometimes interchangeable, but jurisdiction applies to official power exercised within prescribed limits.

the bureau having jurisdiction over parks

Where would sway be a reasonable alternative to power?

In some situations, the words sway and power are roughly equivalent. However, sway suggests the extent of exercised power or influence.

the empire extended its sway over the region

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 power
Noun
When powered on, the e-uni will self-balance for easier mounting, with leg grips on either side to guide your stance while your feet are positioned on the fold-down platforms. Paul Ridden june 24, New Atlas, 24 June 2025 That laid the foundation for modern AI and led the organization to eventually power much of the world’s AI factories and infrastructure, rewiring industry, technology, and aspects of society. Preston Fore, Fortune, 24 June 2025
Verb
The senate’s habitual obsession with women as a threat (to conquest, power, imperial security, male dignity) cannot be overstated. Literary Hub june 23, Literary Hub, 23 June 2025 While playoff contenders are still driven by star power, the evolution of the role player has shifted the draft process and player acquisition dynamic. Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 23 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for power
Recent Examples of Synonyms for power
Noun
  • Ranged across the top of the SoundLink Plus there is a strip of soft-touch controls for turning the speaker on and off, initiating Bluetooth pairing, syncing with other Bose speakers, as well as playing and pausing music, skipping tracks and adjusting volume levels.
    Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
  • In traditional robots, a control system analyzes sensory data and tells the machine what to do.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 29 June 2025
Noun
  • Any final decision to close the waterway rests with the country's national security council, and its possibility has raised the specter of higher energy prices and aggravated geopolitical tensions, with Washington calling upon Beijing to prevent the strait's closure.
    Sam Meredith, CNBC, 23 June 2025
  • ComEd, a unit of energy company Exelon, appointed Melissa Washington as SVP of governmental, regulatory, and external affairs.
    Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 23 June 2025
Noun
  • Later in life, Miller is credited with revitalizing the Professional Bowling Association before leaving to become the CEO of the Agassi Graf Holdings and still later a faculty member at the University of Oregon.
    Jerry Shnay, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2025
  • Students, families and faculty members are encouraged to attend upcoming information sessions.
    Nick Mordowanec, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • On June 22, Tehran time, after days of tension, Trump announced the U.S. had launched air and missile strikes against three Iranian nuclear facilities, including B-2 strikes against the underground Fordow fuel enrichment plant using 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 24 June 2025
  • Kia Sorento Hybrid fuel cost The national average gas price at the time of writing is $3.22 a gallon according to AAA.com.
    Charles Singh, USA Today, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • Both pushed the limits of convention, examined the complex relationship between clothes and the body, and brought historical dress into their work.
    Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 1 July 2025
  • McCarty’s pushback comes despite him pushing for a similar countywide joint powers authority to oversee homelessness while in the Assembly.
    Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • These were inhabitants of the Real East Coast who, even in the late 2000s, were still under the impression that hip-hop’s having been created in their territory granted them indefinite dominion over how the genre’s rhythm and presentation were supposed to feel.
    Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 23 June 2025
  • The idea of achieving ‘dominion’ over the world and society is not uncommon in charismatic Christian theology, according to religious scholar Matthew Taylor, who studies Christian Nationalism.
    Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 6 June 2025
Noun
  • While the increasing trade deficit (exports minus imports) represents the strength of American buying power, the percentage of total trade that is an export (exports divided by total trade) represents billions in additional U.S. exports of soybeans, aircraft, medical devices and more.
    Ken Roberts, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
  • Every arrest and every seizure disrupts transnational criminal groups and reflects the strength of interagency collaboration.
    Mark Michalek, Denver Post, 28 June 2025
Noun
  • Iran has proved willing to target countries with stronger cyber capabilities than itself, according to a 2024 threat assessment from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
    Bailey Schulz, USA Today, 24 June 2025
  • Certainly their general partners, Russia and China, have immense cyber capability.
    Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 24 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Power.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/power. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

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