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Definitions

powerhouse

[pou-er-hous] / ˈpaʊ ərˌhaʊs /
ADJECTIVE
effective
Synonyms
STRONGEST
active adequate compelling competent direct efficient forceful impressive potent powerful practical successful useful valid
STRONG
effectual efficacious
WEAK
able big-wheel capable cogent convincing emphatic energetic forcible having lead in pencil live moving on the ball operative persuasive playing hardball producing resultant serviceable serving sound striking telling trenchant virtuous wicked yielding
Antonyms
STRONGEST
helpless impotent inadequate incapable incompetent ineffective inefficient insufficient unable useless weak worthless
STRONG
unproductive unsuccessful
WEAK
fruitless inoperative
ADJECTIVE
forceful
Synonyms
STRONGEST
cogent commanding compelling convincing dynamic energetic forcible persuasive strong vehement vigorous violent
WEAK
ball of fire big-wheel bullish coming on strong constraining dominant electric elemental gutsy mighty pithy potent puissant punch punchy steamroller stringent take-charge takeover telling titanic virile weighty
Antonyms
STRONGEST
apathetic idle impotent inactive ineffective lethargic mild moderate passive weak
WEAK
feeble meek unforceful
ADJECTIVE
hard-hitting
Synonyms
STRONGEST
compelling pithy
WEAK
ball of fire bullish cogent coming on strong commanding constraining convincing dominant dynamic dynamical effective electric elemental energetic forcible gutsy mighty persuasive potent powerful puissa
ADJECTIVE
mighty
Synonyms
STRONGEST
potent robust
WEAK
boss doughty hardy indomitable lusty muscular omnipotent puissant stalwart steamroller stout strapping strengthy strong strong as ox sturdy vigorous wieldy
Antonyms
STRONGEST
weak
WEAK
delicate insignificant powerless small tiny unimportant
ADJECTIVE
muscular
Synonyms
STRONGEST
athletic brawny burly powerful robust sinewy stout strapping sturdy vigorous wiry
WEAK
able-bodied bruising fibrous hefty herculean hulky husky lusty mighty muscled pumped-up ripped ropy stalwart stringy strong tiger tough well-built
Antonyms
STRONGEST
impotent skinny slight small thin weak
WEAK
delicate flabby infirm
ADJECTIVE
potent
Synonyms
STRONGEST
compelling dominant dynamic great impressive influential persuasive powerful robust strong useful vigorous
STRONG
stiff
WEAK
almighty ball of fire cogent commanding convincing efficacious forcible full-bodied lusty mighty puissant punchy spanking sturdy telling trenchant
Antonyms
STRONGEST
inactive ineffective ineffectual infirm insignificant soft unhealthy unimportant weak
WEAK
fragile helpless impotent incapable
ADJECTIVE
robust
Synonyms
STRONGEST
booming hearty hefty potent powerful prosperous sturdy tough vigorous
WEAK
able-bodied athletic boisterous brawny built concentrated fit fit as fiddle flourishing full-bodied hale hardy husky in fine fettle in good health in good shape in the pink live lusty muscular peppy prospering roaring robustious robustuous rough rugged sinewy snappy sound stout strapping thriving tiger vital well wicked zappy zippy
Antonyms
STRONGEST
fragile impotent incapable ineffective lethargic small unstable weak wobbly
WEAK
flabby infirm soft unhealthy
ADJECTIVE
stalwart
Synonyms
STRONGEST
dependable fearless indomitable intrepid redoubtable staunch stout tenacious vigorous
STRONG
bold bound brave daring husky solid steamroller tough
WEAK
athletic bound and determined brawny brick-wall courageous dauntless dead set on forceful gutsy hanging tough hefty lusty muscular nervy robust rugged sinewy spunky stouthearted strapping sturdy substantial unafraid undaunted valorous
Antonyms
STRONGEST
afraid timid undependable unreliable weak yielding
STRONG
cowardly fearful meek quiet reticent retiring shy soft vulnerable
ADJECTIVE
strapping
Synonyms
STRONGEST
burly hulking sturdy
STRONG
hulky
WEAK
brawny hefty hunky husky ox powerful robust stalwart stout tall vigorous well-built
Antonyms
WEAK
attenuated skinny slight small thin weak
ADJECTIVE
sturdy
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bulky hearty hulking muscular powerful robust rugged stiff stout strapping strong
WEAK
athletic built to last determined firm flourishing hardy hefty husky lusty resolute secure sound stalwart staunch steadfast stouthearted strong-arm substantial tenacious tough unyielding vigorous well-built well-made
Antonyms
STRONGEST
calm delicate easy feeble flabby infirm mild moderate skinny small soft thin tiny unhealthy weak
WEAK
unstable wobbly
NOUN
authority
Synonyms
STRONGEST
force government jurisdiction rule
STRONG
ascendancy authorization beef charge clout command credit domination dominion edge esteem goods guts influence juice jump license mastery might permission permit pizazz pow prerogative prestige punch right ropes say say-so steam strength stuff supremacy sway warrant weight word
WEAK
leg up might and main strong arm upper hand what it takes whip hand
Antonyms
STRONG
breach break disadvantage inferiority lack lethargy powerlessness prohibition subordination weakness
NOUN
engine
Synonyms
STRONGEST
appliance diesel generator instrument motor power plant tool transformer turbine weapon
STRONG
agent apparatus barrel contrivance cylinder dynamo fan horses implement means mechanism piston pot
WEAK
power train putt-putt rubber band what's under the hood
NOUN
potence
Synonyms
STRONG
backbone body brawn brawniness clout courage durability energy firmness force fortitude hardiness health healthiness lustiness might muscle nerve physique pith potency pow power powerfulness puissance robustness security sinew sock soundness stability stableness stalwartness steadiness steamroller stoutness sturdiness substance tenacity toughness verdure vigor vim vitality zip
WEAK
brute force strong arm thew
Antonyms
STRONG
apathy cowardice enervation fear idleness impotence inability inactivity incompetence infirmity insecurity instability laziness lethargy powerlessness timidity uncertainty weakness
NOUN
powerfulness
Synonyms
STRONG
backbone body brawn brawniness clout courage durability energy firmness force fortitude hardiness health healthiness lustiness might muscle nerve physique pith potence potency pow power puissance robustness security sinew sock soundness stability stableness stalwartness steadiness steamroller stoutness sturdiness substance tenacity toughness verdure vigor vim vitality zip
WEAK
brute force strong arm thew
Antonyms
STRONG
apathy cowardice enervation fear idleness impotence inability inactivity incompetence infirmity insecurity instability laziness lethargy powerlessness timidity uncertainty weakness
NOUN
power plant
Synonyms
STRONGEST
power station station
WEAK
atomic power plant generating station hydroelectric plant hydroelectric scheme nuclear power plant power source
NOUN
professional
Synonyms
STRONGEST
artist expert pro specialist
STRONG
adept artiste authority brain egghead hotshot pundit shark star superstar virtuoso whiz wizard
WEAK
old hand old pro old war-horse phenom proficient whiz kid
Antonyms
STRONG
amateur rookie
WEAK
apprentice greenhorn
NOUN
say-so
Synonyms
STRONG
ascendancy authorization beef charge clout command control credit domination dominion edge esteem force goods government guts influence juice jump jurisdiction license mastery might permission permit pizazz pow power prerogative prestige punch right ropes rule say sovereignty steam strength stuff supremacy sway warrant weight word zap
WEAK
leg up might and main strong arm upper hand what it takes whip hand
Antonyms
STRONG
breach break disadvantage impotence inability incapacity incompetence inefficiency inferiority lack lethargy powerlessness prohibition submission subordination subservience surrender weakness yielding
NOUN
strength
Synonyms
STRONGEST
clout courage durability energy firmness fortitude health power stability tenacity toughness vigor vitality
STRONG
backbone body brawn brawniness force hardiness healthiness lustiness might muscle nerve physique pith potency pow robustness security sinew sock soundness stableness stalwartness steadiness steamroller stoutness sturdiness substance verdure vim zip
WEAK
brute force strong arm
Antonyms
STRONGEST
cowardice idleness inactivity infirmity instability lethargy weakness
STRONG
powerlessness
WEAK
disadvantage enervation lack
NOUN
thew
Synonyms
WEAK
backbone body brawn brawniness brute force clout courage durability energy firmness force fortitude hardiness health healthiness lustiness might muscle nerve physique pith potence potency pow power powerfulness puissance robustness security sinew sock soundness stability stableness stalwartness steadiness steamroller stoutness strong arm sturdiness substance tenacity toughness verdure vigor vim vitality zip

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.

The plot still cries out for a flow chart, but the powerhouse fusion of Michele, Tveit and Christopher, overcoming all obstacles, has made this production one of the seismic events of the Broadway season.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

A splurge in public spending by Chancellor Friedrich Merz's government was expected to kickstart a turnaround for the manufacturing powerhouse this year after several years in the doldrums.

From Barron's • Apr. 21, 2026

It featured the attempt by all-rounder Merckx to prevent the legendary powerhouse of the time, Belgium's Roger de Vlaeminck, from winning his fourth title.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

China in recent decades has grown into a shipbuilding powerhouse, churning out hundreds of vessels a year, often in dual-use shipyards that can build military and nonmilitary ships.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

The American gymnasts, famously nicknamed the Fierce Five, had just won artistic team gold at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, ahead of the gymnastics powerhouse nations of Russia, Romania, and China.

From "Courage to Soar" by Simone Biles