empower
verb (used with object)
to give power or authority to; authorize, especially by legal or official means.
had empowered
-
past perfectof empower.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
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.
But Gill said EU states had "empowered" the commission to take such a decision.
From Barron's ● Feb. 27, 2026
Justice Elena Kagan, writing for herself and fellow liberal justices Stephen G. Breyer and Sonia Sotomayor, countered that the majority had empowered the wrong people to pass judgment on an existential dilemma.
From Washington Post ● Jun. 30, 2022
Jean-Pierre said the mandate was about keeping people safe and that Congress had empowered the Labor Department to act with the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 8, 2021
The artist said it had "empowered" him to continue his work.
From BBC ● Sep. 10, 2021
The Articles of Confederation had empowered Congress to make treaties of commerce, but only such as did not restrain the legislative power of any State from laying imposts and regulating exports and imports.
From The Old Merchant Marine; A chronicle of American ships and sailors by Ralph Delahaye Paine
