empower

/ɪmˈpaʊə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪmˈpaʊər/ (ame, ipa) · /im-ˈpau̇(-ə)r/ (ame, mw)

empower — verb

  • empowerpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • empowershe / she / it
  • empoweredpast simple
  • empowering-ing form

1. to officially give a person or organization the legal right or permission to tak

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to officially give a person or organization the legal right or permission to take a particular action

例句

The constitution empowers the president to veto any bill passed by Congress.

empower + person + to-infinitive

A new regulation empowers local health officers to shut down restaurants that break safety rules.

同義詞
  • authorize

    more formal, implies official approval in writing

  • entitle

    focuses on having a legal or moral right to something

  • commission

    appoints someone to a specific task or role, often paid

反義詞
  • prevent

    stops someone from acting rather than allowing action

  • forbid

    stronger and explicitly prohibits an action

文法句型

empower + person/organization + to-infinitive

be empowered + to-infinitive

用法筆記

Often used in legal, political, or organizational contexts. The direct object is normally a person, group, or institution, followed by a to-infinitive clause that specifies the action authorized.

常見錯誤

❌The law empowered that the council can make decisions.
✅The law empowered the council to make decisions.
💡'empower' requires a direct object before the to-infinitive; it cannot be followed directly by a that-clause.

2. to help someone gain confidence, strength, and the ability to take control of th

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to help someone gain confidence, strength, and the ability to take control of their own life and make their own decisions

例句

The training program aims to empower young women to start their own businesses.

empower + person + to-infinitive

What empowered Joaquín most was the supportive network of fellow artists in his community.

同義詞
  • enable

    more practical — focuses on providing the means or opportunity

  • encourage

    softer — means to give support or hope without transferring authority

  • embolden

    stronger — implies giving someone courage to act, often despite fear

反義詞
  • discourage

    reduces confidence or enthusiasm

  • disempower

    direct antonym — takes away someone's sense of power or control

文法句型

empower + person/group + to-infinitive

feel empowered + to-infinitive

be empowered + by + noun phrase

用法筆記

Common in education, social work, personal development, and community organizing. Frequently appears in passive constructions (feel empowered, be empowered) where the emphasis is on the person's internal sense of capability rather than external authority.

常見錯誤

❌She empowered herself from reading books.
✅Reading books made her feel empowered.
💡'empower' is normally used transitively with an external agent giving confidence, not reflexively with 'from.'