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as in qi
a spiritual force that is held to emanate from or give animation to living beings many Eastern cultures believe in the significance of life energy in the healing process

Synonyms & Similar Words

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3
as in fuel
something with a usable capacity for doing work some of the power needs of the house are provided by solar energy

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun energy contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of energy are force, might, power, and strength. While all these words mean "the ability to exert effort," energy applies to power expended or capable of being transformed into work.

a worker with boundless energy

When is it sensible to use force instead of energy?

While in some cases nearly identical to energy, force implies the actual effective exercise of power.

used enough force to push the door open

In what contexts can might take the place of energy?

While the synonyms might and energy are close in meaning, might implies great or overwhelming power or strength.

the belief that might makes right

When would power be a good substitute for energy?

In some situations, the words power and energy are roughly equivalent. However, power may imply latent or exerted physical, mental, or spiritual ability to act or be acted upon.

the awesome power of flowing water

When is strength a more appropriate choice than energy?

The synonyms strength and energy are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 energy That said, the underlying drivers of a sustainable future—innovation, tapping into cost-efficient renewable energy, and consumer demand for ethical practices—remain intact. Lauren Parker, Sourcing Journal, 31 Mar. 2025 Thune also often praises wind energy—a booming industry in his home state—even though Trump considers turbines loathsome eyesores. David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025 Silver was the real business of Tombstone, and the focus of its energies and attention. Richard Grant, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Mar. 2025 The world needs energy projects given its growing needs. Gaurav Sharma, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for energy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for energy
Noun
  • It is believed that a women’s qi, or life force, is depleted while giving birth.
    Clarissa Wei, Bon Appétit, 16 Sep. 2024
  • Those with strong qi, who can learn to channel it, make for fierce, skilled warriors.
    Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 5 Sep. 2020
Noun
  • Anthony Bourdain was an exception who brought real vigor and energy to the genre.
    Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2025
  • By the beginning of the 1990s, studios like Pixar, Aardman, and Blue Sky revitalized animation in the English-speaking world and brought a vigor to the art form that led to the formation of the Best Animated Feature category.
    Jeremy Fassler, Vulture, 2 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The right wing then hit the ground and separated from the plane, causing fuel to spill across the runway and eventually ignite a fire.
    Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 20 Mar. 2025
  • From the cost of racing cars, tires, and fuel to training, track access, and travel, the financial barrier is huge.
    Jenn Nelson, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Natural gas has the opportunity to compete with coal, diesel, and other inefficient power sources across the globe, delivering cleaner and cheaper power.
    Steven Dudash, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Nearly half a million homes and businesses also lost power.
    Jade Walker, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The lingering fumes of attention and magical aura somehow still surround the oddball Rodgers like the cloud of dirt around Pig-Pen in the Peanuts comic strip.
    Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Any positive vibe will be welcome and in stark contrast to the negative aura that engulfed last season’s NFC Championship reign.
    Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • This small planetary nebula, like others like it, was formed by gases in the outer layers of a dying star.
    Miguel Claro, Space.com, 22 Mar. 2025
  • The unexpected discovery came via observations of the star-forming ring of turbulent dust and gases—dubbed the central molecular zone—that encircles Sagittarius A*.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Haidt then gave us the helpful analogy of the emotional elephant for System 1 and the rational rider for System 2, illustrating that the enormity and strength of the elephant suggest that when the elephant and rider are in conflict, the elephant always wins.
    Tim Maurer, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Agam’s absence left a gaping hole in her family, but her siblings carried her strength.
    Efrat Lachter, Fox News, 23 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Smells like teen spirit As bloody and grim as Greek myths have always been, Santa Monica Studio established even darker trappings with 2005’s God of War.
    Diego Argüello, Rolling Stone, 22 Mar. 2025
  • But that resilience and spirit are certainly being tested, with the Heat’s last win coming nearly three weeks ago on March 3 in a home victory over the Washington Wizards.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 22 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Energy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/energy. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.

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