POWER Synonyms: 154 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

power 1 of 2

noun

ˈpau̇(-ə)r

Definition of power next

as in control

the right or means to command or control others the emir has nearly complete power over the emirate

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as in energy

the ability to exert effort for the accomplishment of a task the corporation has the power to accomplish almost anything you'll need to build a bit more power in order to be a star pitcher

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as in faculty

a natural ability of the mind or body dogs have a very highly developed power of smell

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as in fuel

something with a usable capacity for doing work nuclear power

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power

2 of 2

verb

as in to fuel

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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

As the first reaction’s power cools its surrounding electrolyte solution, a heat sink removes the accompanying warmth. —

Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 30 Jan. 2025 But once the plane was airborne, the board staff said, it could have been pulled out of a sudden stall if the crew had applied emergency power and lowered its nose. —

Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2025

Verb

The ELACs are a great entry-level speaker that will easily take you into audiophile territory with the right amp, whereas the 4309 more or less sound amazing with anything powering them. —

Parker Hall, WIRED, 30 Jan. 2025 Credit card debt, which powers much retail spending, reached $1.2 trillion, up 8.1% over previous year. —

Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for power

Recent Examples of Synonyms for power

Noun

The Observer maintains full editorial control of its journalism.

— Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 24 Jan. 2025
The extreme, 100 mph winds that drove the LA wildfires to rage out of control is a different kind of event than a fire driven by overgrown brush, Quinn-Davidson said.

— Ella Nilsen, CNN, 24 Jan. 2025