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Dictionary.com

exercise power

VERB
command
Synonyms
STRONGEST
determine direct dominate manage supervise take over wield
STRONG
administer boss charge check coach coerce compel conduct conquer constrain control curb dictate domineer exact force govern guide head hinder influence lead officiate oppress overbear override predominate prescribe prevail push regulate reign repress restrain run stop subdue superintend sway tyrannize
WEAK
have authority hold office preside over reign over
Antonyms
STRONGEST
mismanage
STRONG
abandon advance aid allow assist comply consent encourage follow free give up help leave leave alone let go liberate lose neglect obey permit release retreat serve start submit surrender yield
WEAK
contradict countermand oppose recall reverse revoke

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 wives of the ADF commanders, some of whom are particularly influential, also exercise power over the young recruits.

From Barron's • Dec. 26, 2025

Now much of Latin America lives under a hybrid form of government in which both democratic states and organized criminal groups exercise power — sometimes in competition and sometimes together.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 2, 2024

But he continues to exercise power over his party, which is currently in power with his younger brother, Shehbaz, the prime minister.

From Reuters • Aug. 8, 2023

“The president’s point was that Putin cannot be allowed to exercise power over his neighbors or the region,” a White House official said.

From Slate • Mar. 26, 2022

The reality, however, is that the existing hierarchy disciplines newcomers, requiring them to exercise power in the same old ways and play by the same old rules in order to survive.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander