power

n.

1. Strength

   vigor, energy, stamina; see strength 1.

2. Controlling sway

   authority, command, jurisdiction, dominion, control, sway, ascendancy, superiority, domination, dominance, mastery, leadership, predominance, preponderance, sovereignty, prerogative, hegemony, suzerainty, prestige, influence, reign, regency, omnipotence, puissance, supreme authority, the last word, rule, law, first strike capability, warrant, rule of law, law of the jungle, brute force, authorization, supremacy, legal sanction, government, absolutism, carte blanche, say-so*, clout*, clutches*; see also influence 2, leadership 1.

   Antonyms powerlessness, subservience, collapse.

3. Ability; often plural

   skill, endowment, capability; see ability 1, 2.

4. Force

   compulsion, coercion, duress; see pressure 2, restraint 2.

5. Energy

   horsepower, potential, dynamism; see energy 3.

power, as compared here, denotes the inherent ability or the admitted right to rule, govern, and determine the limited power of a president; authority refers to the power, because of rank or office, to give commands, enforce obedience, and make decisions the authority of a teacher; jurisdiction refers to the power to rule or decide within certain officially defined limits the jurisdiction of the courts; dominion implies sovereign or supreme authority dominion over a dependent state; sway stresses the predominance or sweeping scope of power the Romans held sway over much of the ancient world; control implies power to direct, regulate, restrain, or curb to have no control over one's feelings; command implies such authority that enforces obedience to one's orders in command of a regiment See also syn. study at strength.

in power

the powers that be*