empower
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
to help someone feel more confident and give them more control over their life or work.
to enable an individual or group to gain greater self-determination and influence over their circumstances.
Simple“The new manager wants to empower her team to make their own decisions.”
In context“The workshop was designed to empower young entrepreneurs by providing them with the networking tools and financial literacy required to scale their businesses.”
UsageOften used in social, political, or corporate contexts regarding personal growth and autonomy.
SynonymsAntonymsdisenfranchiseoppress - 02 C1 Advanced
to give someone the official or legal right to do something.
to invest with official authority or legal power to perform a specific action.
Simple“The law empowers the police to search vehicles under certain conditions.”
In context“The treaty empowers the international commission to monitor carbon emissions and impose sanctions on member states that fail to meet their targets.”
UsageTypically followed by an object and a 'to' infinitive.
Synonyms
“While personalized options can empower visitors, overpersonalizing could also create a sense of loss.”
“This pushback emphasizes the need to include young people in decisions that affect them and to empower them to express opinions and take action.”
From em- + power.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.