empower
To give someone the authority or confidence to do something
Examples
In a meeting
“We need to empower team leads to make budget decisions.”
Over coffee
“That workshop really empowered me to start my own business.”
Why this word
enable
Empower emphasizes giving authority, confidence, or rights to act independently, while enable just makes something possible
authorize
Empower includes building capacity and confidence, while authorize only grants permission
strengthen
Empower specifically means increasing autonomy and decision-making power, while strengthen is general improvement
Usage tip
Use when discussing giving people capability, authority, or confidence to act independently
Etymology
English 'em-' (put into) + 'power', dating to 17th century
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Related words
delegate
To assign a task or responsibility to someone else.
mandate
An official order or requirement to do something; to officially require.
rescind
To officially cancel or revoke a decision, law, or agreement
proactive
Acting in advance to deal with expected situations
invoke
To cite or appeal to something as authority or justification
pioneer
Be among the first to develop or apply something new