empower

[em-pou-er]

verb (used with object)

1. 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

2. to enable or permit.

   Wealth empowered him to live a comfortable life.

empower

/ ɪmˈpaʊə /

verb

1. to give or delegate power or authority to; authorize

2. to give ability to; enable or permit

Other Word Forms

• empowerment noun
• unempowered adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of empower¹

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

Example Sentences

As first lady, she founded the 31st December Women's Movement to empower women and teach them how to earn money to develop their communities.

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"It feels really empowering when you make the decision and you make the announcement, because everyone's rooting for you," he recalls.

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In response, some startups have built their own artificial-intelligence tools to empower patients to fight back.

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He led Project 2025’s transition portion, which included writing some 350 executive orders, regulations and other plans to more fully empower the president.

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Parliament enacted the so-called "law on protecting local self-identity" in June, empowering municipalities to regulate real estate purchases.

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Related Words

• allow 
• entitle 
• entrust 
• grant 
• legitimize 
• permit 
• vest