Empowered: meaning, definitions and examples

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empowered

 

[ ɪmˈpaʊərd ]

Adjective / Verb
Context #1 | Adjective

feeling of strength

Having the authority or power to do something; feeling strong and confident.

Synonyms

authorized, enabled, strengthened.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
empowered

Used when someone is given the confidence, ability, or power to do something. Often relates to personal growth, self-esteem, or social movements.

  • The workshop empowered women to take leadership roles.
  • I feel empowered to make my own decisions.
authorized

Appropriate when someone is officially given permission or control by an authority or organization. Often used in legal, formal, or professional contexts.

  • Only authorized personnel are allowed to enter the restricted area.
  • The manager authorized the use of company funds for the project.
enabled

Relevant when providing someone or something with the means or ability to do a specific task or action. Can be technical, practical, or situational.

  • The new software enabled the team to work more efficiently.
  • Her guidance enabled me to understand the process better.
strengthened

Best used when describing the act of making someone or something stronger in a physical, emotional, mental, or structural sense.

  • The training program strengthened his muscles.
  • The disaster strengthened the community's bond.

Examples of usage

  • I feel empowered to make my own decisions.
  • She empowered herself by standing up for her rights.
Context #2 | Verb

giving someone power

To give someone the authority or power to do something.

Synonyms

authorize, enable, entrust.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
empowered

Use when referring to giving someone confidence, skills, or freedom to act.

  • She felt empowered to make her own decisions after the training
  • The workshop aims to empower women in the community
authorize

Use in formal contexts where official permission is given to someone to do something.

  • The manager authorized the payment
  • You need to get the document authorized by a notary
enable

Use when referring to making it possible for someone to do something or a situation to occur.

  • The new software will enable us to complete tasks more efficiently
  • The grant will enable the research project to continue
entrust

Use when giving someone responsibility over something or someone.

  • I am going to entrust you with the keys to my house while I'm away
  • Parents entrust teachers with their children's education

Examples of usage

  • She empowered her team to make important decisions.
  • The organization empowers individuals to take action.

Translations

Translations of the word "empowered" in other languages:

🇵🇹 empoderado

🇮🇳 सशक्त

🇩🇪 ermächtigt

🇮🇩 diberdayakan

🇺🇦 уповноважений

🇵🇱 upoważniony

🇯🇵 権限を与えられた

🇫🇷 habilité

🇪🇸 empoderado

🇹🇷 güçlendirilmiş

🇰🇷 권한을 부여받은

🇸🇦 مخول

🇨🇿 zmocněný

🇸🇰 splnomocnený

🇨🇳 被赋权的

🇸🇮 pooblaščen

🇮🇸 valdefldur

🇰🇿 құқылы

🇬🇪 უფლებამოსილი

🇦🇿 səlahiyyətli

🇲🇽 empoderado

Etymology

The word 'empowered' comes from the verb 'empower,' which has its roots in the Old French word 'empouer,' meaning 'to invest with power.' The concept of empowerment has been gaining importance in various fields, such as psychology, sociology, and management, as it focuses on giving individuals the authority and confidence to take control of their lives and make decisions.

See also: disempower, empowering, empowerment.

Word Frequency Rank

At #6,903 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.