STRENGTH Synonyms: 61 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'strength' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of strength are energy , force , might , and power . While all these words mean "the ability to exert effort," strength applies to the quality or property of a person or thing that makes possible the exertion of force or the withstanding of strain, pressure, or attack. // use weight training to build your strength

Q: When might 'energy' be a better fit than 'strength'?

While in some cases nearly identical to strength , energy applies to power expended or capable of being transformed into work. // a worker with boundless energy

Q: When can 'force' be used instead of 'strength'?

Although the words force and strength have much in common, force implies the actual effective exercise of power. // used enough force to push the door open

Q: When is it sensible to use 'might' instead of 'strength'?

The words might and strength can be used in similar contexts, but might implies great or overwhelming power or strength. // the belief that might makes right

Q: When could 'power' be used to replace 'strength'?

In some situations, the words power and strength are roughly equivalent. However, power may imply latent or exerted physical, mental, or spiritual ability to act or be acted upon. // the awesome power of flowing water

strength

noun

ˈstreŋ(k)th

Definition of strength next

as in power

the ability to exert effort for the accomplishment of a task the murdered man's wife didn't have the emotional strength to face reporters

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in reliability

the ability to withstand force or stress without being distorted, dislodged, or damaged this cheap shelving unit doesn't have the strength to hold all those books

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun strength contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of strength are energy, force, might, and power. While all these words mean "the ability to exert effort," strength applies to the quality or property of a person or thing that makes possible the exertion of force or the withstanding of strain, pressure, or attack.

use weight training to build your strength

When might energy be a better fit than strength?

While in some cases nearly identical to strength, energy applies to power expended or capable of being transformed into work.

a worker with boundless energy

When can force be used instead of strength?

Although the words force and strength have much in common, force implies the actual effective exercise of power.

used enough force to push the door open

When is it sensible to use might instead of strength?

The words might and strength can be used in similar contexts, but might implies great or overwhelming power or strength.

the belief that might makes right

When could power be used to replace strength?

In some situations, the words power and strength are roughly equivalent. However, power may imply latent or exerted physical, mental, or spiritual ability to act or be acted upon.

the awesome power of flowing water

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of strength As its strength grows, this fast-growing segment also has many critics. —

Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 14 Feb. 2025 Doubt and comparison may lead to minimizing your partner’s strengths or even amplifying their flaws. —

Mark Travers, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2025 That could, in turn, cost Hezbollah Shiite support—an essential pillar of its strength. —

Hanin Ghaddar, Foreign Affairs, 4 Feb. 2025 But their work on the film does help underline one of House’s other key strengths — being an invaluable and extremely well-connected place of support for talent. —

Alex Ritman, Variety, 4 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for strength

Recent Examples of Synonyms for strength

Noun

For all of Trump’s abuses of power in his first term, culminating in his attempt to subvert the 2020 election, his administration never attempted to openly defy a court order despite losing, by one analysis, over three quarters of the federal cases it was involved in.

— New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2025
With only around 60,000 Gaelic-language speakers left in the world, The Island is doing wonders for representation and at the same time constitutes so much more — an entertaining, twisty crime thriller featuring a dose of star power in the form of Industry breakout Sagar Radia.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 11 Feb. 2025