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

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in faculty

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in fuel

something with a usable capacity for doing work nuclear power

Synonyms & Similar Words

power

2 of 2

verb

as in to fuel

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Dissimilar Words

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

This is important because RF power directly affects what systems such as radar and communications equipment can accomplish. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2026 The messages were created using temporary chalk and power-washing techniques, with a cleanup plan in place from the outset. — Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 15 Aug. 2026

Verb

Many figures close enough to power to influence the choice of the next leader are as old as Putin is. — Julian G. Waller, Foreign Affairs, 7 Aug. 2026 Now data centers, which power the technology most crucial to the global economy’s future, are becoming targets. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for power

Recent Examples of Synonyms for power

Noun

Temperature control requires some attention, as the trailers can heat up quickly in direct sunlight and cool dramatically after dark.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026
Virna Jandiroba just took her down nine times and didn’t do much with that top control.

— Brett Appley, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of control

Noun

Many agree that the surge in data centers, not Illinois clean energy law, is the primary cause of skyrocketing power prices across power grid operator PJM’s 13-state footprint.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
Defensiveness extends conversations, weakens credibility and drains emotional energy that could have been directed toward solving problems.

— Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of energy

Noun

The university ultimately held town halls after the sale was announced to discuss how programs, faculty, and staff would transition from the campus.

— Joshua Hong, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2026
Berkeley faculty and students will work alongside Applied engineers on semiconductor materials and process technologies tied to AI computing.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of faculty

Noun

Over the weekend, the oil company said drone strikes had hit a fuel tank and a desalination plant linked to the oil facilities in Zawiya.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
Despite a series of calls that slowed the game down late in the quarter, the Dream used it as fuel to increase their communication and finish strong.

— Micahya Costen, AJC.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of fuel

Verb

Millard expects to push that number to about 200,000 with improvements to the company’s methods and some additional infrastructure.

— Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Forbes contributor David Phelan highlights contrasting reports that the iPhone Ultra is either on course for a full release or will be either restricted at launch or pushed back into October.

— Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of push

Noun

The mandate was awarded to Great Britain but was to be exercised by South Africa (then a dominion within the British Empire).

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026
More recently, the tiny Delica Mini has expanded the Delica's dominion, flashing some adventure and camping chops of its own.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of dominion

Noun

Loss of muscle strength, medication side effects, neurological conditions, and changes in vision or balance can all affect gait.

— Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
Guest judge Willy Chavarria praises how Jeffrey’s outfit moved (my favorite thing about it), but the strength of Naheim’s tromp l’oeil effect snags him the win, immunity for the next challenge, and $20,000 from Viva.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of strength

Noun

Ministry spokesman Sun Li-fang said NCSIST had already verified jamming capabilities for the newer frequency and would introduce them through future upgrades.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 16 Aug. 2026
Final Thoughts The Qidi Max 4 feels like a machine designed for people who care more about capability, material flexibility, and printing large, functional parts than chasing a perfectly polished consumer-appliance experience.

— Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of capability

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“Power.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/power. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of power

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verb

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Synonyms of power

noun

verb

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More from Merriam-Webster on power

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A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

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Words from the 'Odyssey'

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Is “GIF” Pronounced “Jiff” or “Giff”?

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Words from the 'Odyssey'

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Games & Quizzes