Antonyms for power


Grammar : Noun
Spell : pou-er
Phonetic Transcription : ˈpaʊ ər


Definition of power

Origin :
  • c.1300, "ability; ability to act or do; strength, vigor, might," especially in battle; "efficacy; control, mastery, lordship, dominion; legal power or authority; authorization; military force, an army," from Anglo-French pouair, Old French povoir, noun use of the infinitive, "to be able," earlier podir (9c.), from Vulgar Latin *potere, from Latin potis "powerful" (see potent).
  • Whatever some hypocritical ministers of government may say about it, power is the greatest of all pleasures. It seems to me that only love can beat it, and love is a happy illness that can't be picked up as easily as a Ministry. [Stendhal "de l'Amour," 1822]
  • Meaning "one who has power" is late 14c. Meaning "specific ability or capacity" is from early 15c. Meaning "a state or nation with regard to international authority or influence" [OED] is from 1726. Used for "a large number of" from 1660s. Meaning "energy available for work is from 1727. Sense of "electrical supply" is from 1896.
  • Phrase the powers that be is from Rom. xiii:1. As a statement wishing good luck, more power to (someone) is recorded from 1842. A power play in ice hockey so called by 1940. Power failure is from 1911; power steering from 1921.
  • noun ability, competence
  • noun physical ability, capacity
  • noun control, dominance
Example sentences :
  • If a servant complained of being abused, his master had no power to retain him.
  • Extract from : « Philothea » by Lydia Maria Child
  • But I have a secret dread of the character and power of Alcibiades.
  • Extract from : « Philothea » by Lydia Maria Child
  • Has this fearful pestilence no power to restrain the appetites and passions of the people?
  • Extract from : « Philothea » by Lydia Maria Child
  • Then I shall have to put it out of your power to carry out your threat.
  • Extract from : « Brave and Bold » by Horatio Alger
  • He was forced to admit that the girl still had power to trouble him.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • Our peace with the power with whom we had been engaged had also been concluded.
  • Extract from : « United States Presidents' Inaugural Speeches » by Various
  • All others lay claim to power limited only by their own will.
  • Extract from : « United States Presidents' Inaugural Speeches » by Various
  • By whom, let us ask, had this Minister been brought into power?
  • Extract from : « Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. 327 » by Various
  • It alone has the power to provide revenues for the Government.
  • Extract from : « United States Presidents' Inaugural Speeches » by Various
  • It is a danger that lurks and hides in the sources and fountains of power in every state.
  • Extract from : « United States Presidents' Inaugural Speeches » by Various

Synonyms for power

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019