Synonym Chooser

How does the noun strength contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of strength are energy, force, might, and power. While all these words mean "the ability to exert effort," 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

When might energy be a better fit than strength?

While in some cases nearly identical to strength, energy applies to power expended or capable of being transformed into work.

a worker with boundless energy

When can force be used instead of strength?

Although the words force and strength have much in common, force implies the actual effective exercise of power.

used enough force to push the door open

When is it sensible to use might instead of strength?

The words might and strength can be used in similar contexts, but might implies great or overwhelming power or strength.

the belief that might makes right

When could power be used to replace strength?

In some situations, the words power and strength 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

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 strength In 2008, another financial crisis challenged system resiliency and strength. Sara Ratner, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025 As her mother battles an uncertain cancer diagnosis, neurodivergent 22-year-old Margarita discovers a source of strength in an unexpected place: the sport of hobbyhorsing. Katcy Stephan, Variety, 16 Apr. 2025 Taylor effectively chipped away at Lee’s advantage in recent weeks with an aggressive campaign strategy that relied in large part on turning her strengths against her. Hannah Wiley, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2025 The campaign, photographed and directed by Harley Weir, emphasized the theme of love’s transformative strength with house ambassadors Mikey Madison, Greta Lee and Anna Weyant. Renan Botelho, Footwear News, 16 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for strength
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strength
Noun
  • Everybody else has no choice, really, other than to bring a cruel, narcissistic far-right leader to power.
    Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Because a bat has a thick barrel and rotates when swung, its motion and power depend on the distribution of weight across the entire shaft, not just in one spot.
    Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • How utilities choose which power source to invest in depends in large part on two key aspects: price and reliability.
    Erin Baker, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Customer experience also helps with increasing trust and reliability.
    Janita Pannu, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Alexander Smirnov was sentenced to six years in prison in January after pleading guilty to lying to his FBI handler about the Biden family's ties to a Ukrainian energy company -- in addition to a series of unrelated tax fraud charges.
    Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Key challenges, like the risk of exacerbating inequality if access is limited to the rich and the significant energy demands, will need to be addressed.
    Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Stock market futures slumped and bond yields spiked amid concerns over financial and economic stability brought on by the tit-for-tat exchange between the two nations.
    Jeff Cox, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Preserve & Grow Wealth with Risk-Focused Quality Portfolios For investors seeking a blend of stability and attractive returns, PM stock serves as a strategic choice.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • According to the Mayo Clinic, ALS causes loss of muscle control and there is currently no cure for this disease.
    Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Eating cottage cheese before bed helps stimulate muscle protein synthesis, which can help support a healthy metabolism.
    Veronica Cristino, Vogue, 9 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Strength.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strength. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on strength

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