past tense of may
1
—used to express permission, liberty, probability, or possibility in the past
The president might do nothing without the board's consent.
2
—used to say that something is possible
We might get there before it rains.
I might go, but then again, I might not.
3
—used to express a present condition contrary to fact
If you were older you might understand.
4
a
—used as a polite alternative to may
Might I ask who is calling?
b
—used as a polite alternative to ought or should
You might at least apologize.
I might have known she'd be late.
1
a
: the power, authority, or resources wielded (as by an individual or group)
b(1)
: bodily strength
(2)
: the power, energy, or intensity of which one is capable
ran with all her might
striving with might and main
2
dialect
: a great deal
Synonyms
Examples of might in a Sentence
Noun
an impressive display of military might
the legal might of the government
Recent Examples on the Web
Pranshu Verma, Washington Post, 7 Feb. 2023
Early corporate behavior and statements from executives suggest that companies might be accepting the 1% tax as a cost of doing business, not changing their buyback practices.
—Richard Rubin, WSJ, 7 Feb. 2023
Simone McCarthy, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024
As a result, his work awakened readers to the role played by class conflict, racial injustice, gender inequality and imperial might in a country whose history has traditionally been framed as a victory march.
—Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for might 
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Auxiliary verb
In the 1970s and 1980s, researchers set out to find signals that might precede earthquakes, looking at a hodgepodge of cues like animal behavior, radon emissions and electromagnetic signals.
—Pranshu Verma, Washington Post, 7 Feb. 2023
Early corporate behavior and statements from executives suggest that companies might be accepting the 1% tax as a cost of doing business, not changing their buyback practices.
—Richard Rubin, WSJ, 7 Feb. 2023
Noun
High-altitude rivalry The blurry boundaries through the Himalayan peaks and plateaus separating China and its southern neighbors are often relics of imperial era agreements and nomadic routes – now charged with the nationalist rhetoric and military might of New Delhi and Beijing.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024
As a result, his work awakened readers to the role played by class conflict, racial injustice, gender inequality and imperial might in a country whose history has traditionally been framed as a victory march.
—Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for might
Dictionary Entries Near might
Cite this Entry
“Might.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/might. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
might
2 of 2 nounˈmīt
: power to do something : force
with all my might
Etymology
Old English meahte, mihte (an auxiliary verb)
Noun
Old English miht "power, might"
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