Might vs. Power — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 10, 2024
Might emphasizes strength or ability in a potential or hypothetical context, whereas power refers to the actual capacity to act or exert force. Might suggests possibility; power indicates capability.
Difference Between Might and Power
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Might is often used to describe potential or hypothetical strength, suggesting what one could do under certain circumstances. It's about the capacity to achieve something in theory, implying a sense of uncertainty or speculation. On the other hand, power typically refers to the actual ability to do something or exert influence, often based on possessed skills, resources, or authority. It represents a tangible and often measurable capacity.
Might can convey a more speculative or tentative notion of strength, emphasizing possibilities rather than certainties. It is frequently found in discussions where the outcome is uncertain or in hypothetical scenarios. Whereas power is more concrete, associated with the ability to influence outcomes, decisions, or behaviors directly. It is rooted in real, often visible, capabilities.
In literature and speech, might is often used to add a poetic or dramatic effect, capturing the nuances of potentiality and greatness that has not yet been realized. It invokes a sense of awe or wonder about what could be. Power, however, is used to denote control, authority, or influence that is already established and recognized. It speaks to existing structures or abilities.
When considering their applications in social and political contexts, might is more about the latent or theoretical influence that could be mobilized in the future. It's about what could happen if certain powers were exercised. Power, in these contexts, refers to the established ability to affect change, make decisions, or control resources and is often associated with positions of authority or governance.
In the realm of physical strength or force, might is typically used to express potential strength or force that could be exerted under certain conditions, focusing on the capability rather than the act itself. Power, by contrast, is about the execution of strength or force, emphasizing the impact or effect of that strength in real-world scenarios.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
The potential or hypothetical ability to do something.
The actual capacity or ability to act, influence, or exert force.
Context
Speculative, suggesting possibilities.
Concrete, indicating real capabilities.
Usage in Speech
Often conveys a poetic or dramatic sense of unrealized potential.
Used to denote established control, authority, or influence.
Social/Political Context
Refers to latent influence or theoretical strength.
Indicates established ability to affect change or control resources.
Physical Strength
Focuses on potential force that could be exerted.
Emphasizes the execution and impact of strength.
Compare with Definitions
Might
Speculative strength or power.
The ancient ruins spoke of a civilization that might have rivaled our own.
Power
Authority or influence over others.
She held significant power as the CEO.
Might
Conditional ability.
He might solve the puzzle, given enough time.
Power
Physical or mental strength.
His power in debate was unmatched.
Might
Capacity or potential for something to happen.
With enough training, she might win the championship.
Power
Political or social control.
They sought to gain power through democratic elections.
Might
Possibility or probability in a context.
There might be a chance for peace in the negotiations.
Power
A source of energy or force.
The city relies on nuclear power.
Might
Used to express a wish or hope.
Might we perhaps find a solution together?
Power
The ability to act or produce an effect.
The power of the storm was undeniable.
Might
Past of may
Power
The ability or capacity to do something or act in a particular way
His powers of concentration
The power of speech
I will do everything in my power to help you
Might
Used tentatively to ask permission or to express a polite request
Might I just ask one question?
You might just call me Jane, if you don't mind
Power
The capacity or ability to direct or influence the behaviour of others or the course of events
She had me in her power
A political process that offers people power over their own lives
Might
Used to express possibility or make a suggestion
This might be true
You might try pain relievers
Power
Physical strength and force exerted by something or someone
The lyrical power of his prose
The power of the storm
Might
Great and impressive power or strength, especially of a nation, large organization, or natural force
A convincing display of military might
Power
Energy that is produced by mechanical, electrical, or other means and used to operate a device
Generating power from waste
Power cables
Might
Great power or force, as of a nation or army.
Power
The rate of doing work, measured in watts or less frequently horse power.
Might
Physical strength
Push with all your might!.
Power
The product obtained when a number is multiplied by itself a certain number of times
2 to the power of 4 equals 16
Might
Power, strength, force or influence held by a person or group.
Power
A large number or amount of something
There's a power of difference between farming now and when I was a lad
Might
(uncountable) Physical strength or force.
He pushed with all his might, but still it would not move.
Power
Supply (a device) with mechanical or electrical energy
A nuclear-powered submarine
The car is powered by a fuel-injected 3.0-litre engine
Might
(uncountable) The ability to do something.
Power
Move or travel with great speed or force
He powered round a bend
Might
(obsolete) Mighty; powerful.
Power
The ability or capacity to act or do something effectively
Is it in your power to undo this injustice?.
Might
(obsolete) Possible.
Power
Often powers A specific capacity, faculty, or aptitude
Her powers of concentration.
Might
(auxiliary) Used to indicate conditional or possible actions.
I might go to the party, but I haven't decided yet.
Power
Physical strength or force exerted or capable of being exerted
The power of the waves.
Might
(auxiliary) may Used to indicate permission in past tense.
He asked me if he might go to the party, but I haven't decided yet.
Power
Effectiveness at moving one's emotions or changing how one thinks
A novel of great power.
Might
(auxiliary) may Used to indicate possibility in past tense.
I thought that I might go the next day.
Power
The ability or official capacity to exercise control; authority
How long has that party been in power?.
Might
Used to indicate a desired past action that was not done.
Hey man, you might have warned me about the thunderstorm.
Power
The military strength or economic or political influence of a nation or other group
That country projects its power throughout the region.
Might
(auxiliary) Even though.
I might be in a wheelchair, but I still want to be treated as a lady.
Power
A country, nation, or other political unit having great influence or control over others
The western powers.
Might
(auxiliary) Used in polite requests for permission
Might I take the last biscuit?
Power
A supernatural being
The powers of evil.
Might
Used to express certainty.
Yeah, I think we might need something a bit sturdier.
Power
Powers(Christianity) The sixth of the nine orders of angels in medieval angelology.
Might
Force or power of any kind, whether of body or mind; energy or intensity of purpose, feeling, or action; means or resources to effect an object; strength; force; power; ability; capacity.
What so strong,But wanting rest, will also want of might?
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
Power
The energy or motive force by which a physical system or machine is operated
Turbines turned by steam power.
A sailing ship driven by wind power.
Might
Physical strength
Power
The capacity of a system or machine to operate
A vehicle that runs under its own power.
Power
Electrical or mechanical energy, especially as used to assist or replace human energy.
Power
Electricity supplied to a home, building, or community
A storm that cut off power to the whole region.
Power
(Physics) The rate at which work is done, expressed as the amount of work per unit time and commonly measured in units such as the watt and horsepower.
Power
The product of applied potential difference and current in a direct-current circuit.
Power
The product of the effective values of the voltage and current with the cosine of the phase angle between current and voltage in an alternating-current circuit.
Power
See exponent.
Power
The number of elements in a finite set.
Power
(Statistics) In a statistical test, the probability of correctly rejecting the null hypothesis when it is false.
Power
A measure of the magnification of an optical instrument, such as a microscope or telescope.
Power
Chiefly Upper Southern US A large number or amount. See Note at powerful.
Power
(Archaic) An armed force.
Power
Of or relating to political, social, or economic control
A power struggle.
A power base.
Power
Operated with mechanical or electrical energy in place of bodily exertion
A power tool.
Power car windows.
Power
Of or relating to the generation or transmission of electricity
Power companies.
Power lines.
Power
(Informal) Of or relating to influential business or professional practices
A pinstriped suit with a power tie.
Met with high-level executives at a power breakfast.
Power
To supply with power, especially mechanical or electrical power.
Power
The ability to do or undergo something.
Power
(social) The ability to coerce, influence, or control.
Power
(countable) The ability to affect or influence.
Power
Control or coercion, particularly legal or political (jurisdiction).
Power
The people in charge of legal or political power, the government.
Power
(metonymically) An influential nation, company, or other such body.
Power
An army, a military force.
Power
Effectiveness.
Power
Physical force or strength.
He needed a lot of power to hit the ball out of the stadium.
Power
Electricity or a supply of electricity.
After the pylons collapsed, this town was without power for a few days.
Power
A measure of the rate of doing work or transferring energy.
Power
The strength by which a lens or mirror magnifies an optical image.
We need a microscope with higher power.
Power
A large amount or number.
Power
Any of the elementary forms or parts of machines: three primary (the lever, inclined plane, and pulley) and three secondary (the wheel-and-axle, wedge, and screw).
The mechanical powers
Power
A measure of the effectiveness that a force producing a physical effect has over time. If linear, the quotient of: (force multiplied by the displacement of or in an object) ÷ time. If rotational, the quotient of: (force multiplied by the angle of displacement) ÷ time.
Power
(mathematics)
Power
A product of equal factors (and generalizations of this notion): , read as " to the power of " or the like, is called a power and denotes the product , where appears times in the product; is called the base and the exponent.
Power
(set theory) Cardinality.
Power
(statistics) The probability that a statistical test will reject the null hypothesis when the alternative hypothesis is true.
Power
In Christian angelology, an intermediate level of angels, ranked above archangels, but exact position varies by classification scheme.
Power
(transitive) To provide power for (a mechanical or electronic device).
This CD player is powered by batteries.
Power
(transitive) To hit or kick something forcefully.
Power
To enable or provide the impetus for.
Power
Impressive.
Power
Same as Poor, the fish.
Power
Ability to act, regarded as latent or inherent; the faculty of doing or performing something; capacity for action or performance; capability of producing an effect, whether physical or moral: potency; might; as, a man of great power; the power of capillary attraction; money gives power.
Power
Ability, regarded as put forth or exerted; strength, force, or energy in action; as, the power of steam in moving an engine; the power of truth, or of argument, in producing conviction; the power of enthusiasm.
Power
Capacity of undergoing or suffering; fitness to be acted upon; susceptibility; - called also passive power; as, great power of endurance.
Power, then, is active and passive; faculty is active power or capacity; capacity is passive power.
Power
The exercise of a faculty; the employment of strength; the exercise of any kind of control; influence; dominion; sway; command; government.
Power is no blessing in itself but when it is employed to protect the innocent.
Power
The agent exercising an ability to act; an individual invested with authority; an institution, or government, which exercises control; as, the great powers of Europe; hence, often, a superhuman agent; a spirit; a divinity.
And the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.
Power
A military or naval force; an army or navy; a great host.
Never such a power . . . Was levied in the body of a land.
Power
A large quantity; a great number; as, a power o good things.
Power
The rate at which mechanical energy is exerted or mechanical work performed, as by an engine or other machine, or an animal, working continuously; as, an engine of twenty horse power.
Power
A mechanical agent; that from which useful mechanical energy is derived; as, water power; steam power; hand power, etc.
Power
The product arising from the multiplication of a number into itself; as, a square is the second power, and a cube is third power, of a number.
Power
A machine acted upon by an animal, and serving as a motor to drive other machinery; as, a dog power.
Power
Mental or moral ability to act; one of the faculties which are possessed by the mind or soul; as, the power of thinking, reasoning, judging, willing, fearing, hoping, etc.
The guiltiness of my mind, the sudden surprise of my powers, drove the grossness . . . into a received belief.
Power
The degree to which a lens, mirror, or any optical instrument, magnifies; in the telescope, and usually in the microscope, the number of times it multiplies, or augments, the apparent diameter of an object; sometimes, in microscopes, the number of times it multiplies the apparent surface.
Power
An authority enabling a person to dispose of an interest vested either in himself or in another person; ownership by appointment.
Power
Hence, vested authority to act in a given case; as, the business was referred to a committee with power.
Power
Possession of controlling influence;
The deterrent power of nuclear weapons
The power of his love saved her
His powerfulness was concealed by a gentle facade
Power
(physics) the rate of doing work; measured in watts (= joules/second)
Power
Possession of the qualities (especially mental qualities) required to do something or get something done;
Danger heightened his powers of discrimination
Power
A state powerful enough to influence events throughout the world
Power
(of a government or government official) holding an office means being in power;
Being in office already gives a candidate a great advantage
During his first year in office
During his first year in power
The power of the president
Power
One possessing or exercising power or influence or authority;
The mysterious presence of an evil power
May the force be with you
The forces of evil
Power
Physical strength
Power
A mathematical notation indicating the number of times a quantity is multiplied by itself
Power
A very wealthy or powerful businessman;
An oil baron
Power
Supply the force or power for the functioning of;
The gasoline powers the engines
Common Curiosities
How do might and power differ in literature?
In literature, might often adds a dramatic or poetic quality by suggesting potential greatness, while power is used to denote control or established strength.
How is might viewed in speculative discussions?
In speculative discussions, might is used to discuss the possibilities or hypothetical outcomes, focusing on what could happen.
What is might in terms of potential?
Might refers to the potential or hypothetical ability to do something, emphasizing what could be possible under certain conditions.
What role does power play in social and political contexts?
In social and political contexts, power is about the established ability to make decisions, control resources, and affect change.
Is might always related to physical strength?
No, might is not always related to physical strength; it can also refer to potential outcomes, possibilities, or conditional abilities in various contexts.
Can might imply uncertainty?
Yes, might often implies uncertainty or speculation, focusing on what is possible rather than what is certain.
Can might and power be used interchangeably?
While they can sometimes be used interchangeably in casual conversation, might and power have distinct nuances, with might suggesting possibility and power denoting actual capability.
Does power always imply control?
Generally, yes, power implies some form of control, whether over people, situations, or oneself, reflecting the ability to influence outcomes.
How does power manifest in real situations?
Power manifests as the actual capacity or ability to act, exert influence, or produce an effect in real-world situations.
How does power relate to authority?
Power is directly related to authority, as it involves the capacity to influence others' actions, decisions, and beliefs.
Can power be democratic?
Yes, power can be democratic, as it refers to the capacity to influence or make decisions, which can be distributed among members of a democratic society.
Is might only used in negative contexts?
No, might is not limited to negative contexts; it can also express hope, potential for positive outcomes, or speculative possibilities.
Can might lead to action?
Yes, might can lead to action, as the recognition of potential strength or ability may motivate individuals to pursue certain courses of action to realize that potential.
Does might have a moral implication?
Might can have moral implications, especially when discussing the ethical considerations of potential actions or the responsibility that comes with potential power.
How do individuals gain power?
Individuals can gain power through various means, including acquiring knowledge, building relationships, achieving positions of authority, or demonstrating expertise.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
