powers that be

NOUN

bureaucracy

Synonyms

STRONGEST

administration authority civil service management ministry red tape

STRONG

directorate government officialdom officials

WEAK

beadledom city hall regulatory commission the Establishment the system

NOUN

establishment

Synonyms

STRONGEST

authority bureaucracy

STRONG

diehards

WEAK

city hall established order old guard the system

Antonyms

WEAK

proletariat

NOUN

governance

Synonyms

STRONGEST

administration control law politics

STRONG

authority bureaucracy command direction domination dominion empire execution executive guidance influence jurisdiction ministry patronage polity power

WEAK

political practice predominanc

Antonyms

STRONG

impotence incapacity opposition surrender weakness yielding

NOUN

government

Synonyms

STRONGEST

authority law ministry politics power regime rule state union

STRONG

Washington bureaucracy command control direction domination dominion empire execution executive governance guidance influence jurisdiction patronage polity predominance presidency regency regimentation regulation restraint sovereignty statecraft superintendence superiority supervision supremacy sway

WEAK

Uncle Sam political practice the feds

Antonyms

STRONG

inferiority opposition powerlessness submission subservience weakness

WEAK

anarchy chaos coup insurrection lawlessness mutiny revolt revolution

NOUN

power structure

Synonyms

STRONGEST

hierarchy ruling class

WEAK

class structure corridors of power establishment interests managerial hierarchy power elite status system stratification

NOUN

red tape

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bureaucracy

WEAK

authority bureaucratic paperwork city hall government management official forms official procedures officialdom officialism paper shuffling proper channels regulatory commission the Establishment the system

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.

Yes, the angry Angeleno archetype is a real phenomenon that flares up in local elections to smack back at the powers that be.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026

Not since Black Flag or N.W.A has a SoCal band spooked the powers that be like Dead City Punx.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2026

The powers that be have nothing to fear from Bad Bunny, specifically.

From Salon • Feb. 9, 2026

It brings to mind this concept of malicious compliance, where you’re technically doing what you’re supposed to, but in a way that actually thwarts the goals of the powers that be.

From Slate • Aug. 15, 2025

The powers that be never did that, of course.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis

powers that be

Example Sentences

Related Words