Word Study
empower
CIDE DICTIONARY
empower, v. t.
- To give authority to; to delegate power to; to commission; to authorize (having commonly a legal force); as, the Supreme Court is empowered to try and decide cases, civil or criminal; the attorney is empowered to sign an acquittance, and discharge the debtor. [1913 Webster]
- To give moral or physical power, faculties, or abilities to. Keble. [1913 Webster]
- to enable or permit; to give more opportunity for independent action. [PJC]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
empower, v.tr. (foll. by to + infin.) 1 authorize, license.
2 give power to; make able.
2 give power to; make able.
Derivative
empowerment n.
THESAURUS
empower
accredit, arm, assign, authorize, certificate, certify, charge, charter, clothe, clothe with power, commission, commit, consign, delegate, depute, deputize, detach, detail, devolute, devolve, devolve upon, enable, endow, endue, enfranchise, entitle, entrust, franchise, give in charge, give official sanction, give power, invest, legalize, legitimize, license, mission, patent, post, privilege, ratify, sanction, send out, transfer, validate, vest, warrantROGET THESAURUS
empower
Commission
VB commission, delegate, depute, consign, assign, charge, intrust, entrust, commit, commit to the hands of, authorize, put in commission, accredit, engage, hire, bespeak, appoint, name, nominate, return, ordain, install, induct, inaugurate, swear in, invest, crown, enroll, enlist, give power of attorney to, employ, empower, set over, place over, send out, be commissioned, be accredited, represent, stand for, stand in the stead of, stand in the place of, stand in the shoes of.Permission
VB permit, give permission, give power, let, allow, admit, suffer, bear with, tolerate, recognize, concede, accord, vouchsafe, favor, humor, gratify, indulge, stretch a point, wink at, connive at, shut one's eyes to, grant, empower, charter, enfranchise, privilege, confer a privilege, license, authorize, warrant, sanction, intrust, give carte blanche, give the reins to, give scope to, leave alone, leave it to one, leave the door open, open the door to, open the flood gates, give a loose to, let off, absolve, release, exonerate, dispense with, ask permission, beg permission, request permission, ask leave, beg leave, request leave.Power
VB be powerful, gain power, belong to, pertain to, lie in one's power, be in one's power, can, be able, give power, confer power, exercise power, empower, enable, invest, indue, endue, endow, arm, strengthen, compel.For further exploring for "empower" in Webster Dictionary Online