Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- transitive verb To invest with power, especially legal power or official authority. synonym: authorize.
- transitive verb To equip or supply with an ability; enable.
from The Century Dictionary.
- To give power or authority to; authorize, as by law, commission, letter of attorney, verbal license, etc.: as, the commissioner is empowered to make terms.
- To impart power or force to; give efficacy to; enable.
- Synonyms To commission, license, warrant, qualify.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- transitive verb To give authority to; to delegate power to; to commission; to authorize (having commonly a legal force)
- transitive verb To give moral or physical power, faculties, or abilities to.
- transitive verb to enable or permit; to give more opportunity for independent action.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- verb transitive To give
permission ,power , or the legal right to do something. - verb transitive To give someone more
confidence and/orstrength to do something, often by enabling them to increase their control over their own life or situation.
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- verb give or delegate power or authority to
- verb give qualities or abilities to
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
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Examples
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She says: The word enable can be contrasted with the word empower.
No Uncertain Terms William Safire 2003
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She says: The word enable can be contrasted with the word empower.
No Uncertain Terms William Safire 2003
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She says: The word enable can be contrasted with the word empower.
No Uncertain Terms William Safire 2003
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She says: The word enable can be contrasted with the word empower.
No Uncertain Terms William Safire 2003
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Oxford defines vulnerable as "susceptible to physical or emotional attack or harm"; empower is to "give (someone) the authority or power to do something."
vulnerability 2010
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Oxford defines vulnerable as "susceptible to physical or emotional attack or harm"; empower is to "give (someone) the authority or power to do something."
vulnerability 2010
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Oxford defines vulnerable as "susceptible to physical or emotional attack or harm"; empower is to "give (someone) the authority or power to do something."
Leadership 2010
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Oxford defines vulnerable as "susceptible to physical or emotional attack or harm"; empower is to "give (someone) the authority or power to do something."
Community 2010
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Oxford defines vulnerable as "susceptible to physical or emotional attack or harm"; empower is to "give (someone) the authority or power to do something."
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Oxford defines vulnerable as "susceptible to physical or emotional attack or harm"; empower is to "give (someone) the authority or power to do something."
Integrity 2010
vermontster commented on the word empower
Said so often in health and human services that it almost means nothing. Stolen. Worn out. Even co-opted. Way to ruin something.
June 29, 2008
reesetee commented on the word empower
I dislike this word so much that I consider it an un-word.
June 29, 2008
corylusavellana commented on the word empower
I agree whole-heartedly. Such an annoying and vacuous word.
December 22, 2008
corylusavellana commented on the word empower
I agree whole-heartedly. Such an annoying and vacuous word.
December 22, 2008
dhuber commented on the word empower
Ugh. I'm adding that to my "hated" list.
December 22, 2008
kewpid commented on the word empower
I find this word empowering.
December 22, 2008