Empower — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /im-ˈpau̇(-ə)r/ em·pow·er

Meaning & Definition of Empower

Empower (verb)

  1. to give official authority or legal power to
  2. enable
  3. to promote the self-actualization or influence of

Empower (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to give official or legal power to

    "the federal agency empowered to collect taxes"

    similar: accredit, authorize, certify, charter (British), commission, enable, invest, license, qualify, vest, warrant
    related: approve, clear, credential, endorse, OK, sanction, affirm, confirm, validate, inaugurate, induct, initiate, install, instate, swear in, allow, let, permit, enfranchise, entitle, privilege
    opposite: disqualify
    near: ban, bar, block, constrain, deny, disallow, disbar, discourage, disenfranchise, disfranchise, exclude, hinder, hold back, impede, inhibit, obstruct, prevent, shut out, stop, enjoin, forbid, interdict, outlaw, prohibit, proscribe, veto

  2. to make able or possible

    "workshops in financial management to empower workers to plan for their retirement"

    similar: allow, enable, let, permit
    related: fit, habilitate, prepare, qualify, ready, approve, endorse, sanction, condition, equip
    opposite: prevent
    near: inhibit, preclude, disallow, enjoin, forbid, prohibit

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Empower

The most common words with a similar meaning to Empower:

British: charter
accredit, authorize, certify, commission, enable, invest, license, qualify, vest, warrant, allow, let, permit

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Empower

Words with the opposite meaning of Empower:

disqualify, prevent

Related Words for Empower

approve, clear, credential, endorse, OK, sanction, affirm, confirm, validate, inaugurate, induct, initiate, install, instate, swear in, enfranchise, entitle, privilege, fit, habilitate, prepare, ready, condition, equip

Near Antonyms of Empower

ban, bar, block, constrain, deny, disallow, disbar, discourage, disenfranchise, disfranchise, exclude, hinder, hold back, impede, inhibit, obstruct, shut out, stop, enjoin, forbid, interdict, outlaw, prohibit, proscribe, veto, preclude

Word Forms of Empower

Inflections: empowered, empowering, empowers

Origin & Etymology of Empower

First known use: 1648

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Empower

Frequently Asked Questions about Empower

What does "Empower" mean?

"Empower" means to give official authority or legal power to. As a verb, it is defined as: to give official authority or legal power to. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Empower"?

Other words for "Empower" include accredit, authorize, certify, charter, commission, enable, invest and license. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Empower" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Empower"?

There are 38 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Empower". Common alternatives include accredit, authorize, certify, charter, commission, enable, invest, license, qualify and vest.

What is the opposite of "Empower"?

Antonyms of "Empower" include disqualify and prevent. Near antonyms include ban, bar, block and constrain.

How do you use "Empower" in a sentence?

Examples of "Empower" in a sentence: "the federal agency empowered to collect taxes"; "workshops in financial management to empower workers to plan for their retirement".

Is "Empower" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Empower" is a verb.

Is "Empower" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Empower" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Empower"?

"Empower" is pronounced /im-ˈpau̇(-ə)r/ and divided into syllables as em·pow·er.