Synonyms

empower

American

[em-pou-er] / ɛmˈpaʊ ər /

verb (used with object)

to give power pow power or authority to; authorize, especially by legal or official means.

I empowered my agent to make the deal for me. The local ordinance empowers the board of health to close unsanitary restaurants.

Synonyms:

qualify, license, commission, warrant
to enable or permit.

Wealth empowered him to live a comfortable life.

empower British

/ ɪmˈpaʊə /

verb

to give or delegate power or authority to; authorize
to give ability to; enable or permit

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

empowerment noun
unempowered adjective

Etymology

Origin of empower

First recorded in 1645–55; em- ¹ + power

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It will empower developers to make applications cheaply, but it won’t provide the community or safety that top buyers demand.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Islington North MP said he wanted to "build a positive and inclusive party where all members feel empowered to share their ideas".

From BBC

Meta disputed the organisation's findings published last September, saying it "misrepresents our efforts to empower parents and protect teens".

From BBC

De León still often finds herself shocked that she’s able to have a platform that helps empower people to achieve new goals and that she’s touched so many lives through her videos.

From Los Angeles Times

"I have spent my life trying to support and empower the Tourette's community and to teach empathy, kindness and understanding from others and I will continue to do so," he said in a statement.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023