Synonyms for powers-that-be
| Grammar : Noun |
| Spell : pou-er |
| Phonetic Transcription : ˈpaʊ ər |
Top 10 synonyms for powers-that-be Other synonyms for the word powers-that-be
- command
- direction
- domination
- dominion
- empire
- execution
- executive
- governance
- guidance
- influence
- jurisdiction
- ministry
- patronage
- political practice
- polity
- power
- powers-that-be
- predominanc
- predominance
- presidency
- regency
- regimentation
- regulation
- restraint
- sovereignty
- statecraft
- superintendence
- superiority
- supervision
- supremacy
- sway
- the feds
- Uncle Sam
- Washington
Définition of powers-that-be
Origin :- c.1300, "ability; ability to act or do; strength, vigor, might," especially in battle; "efficacy; control, mastery, lordship, dominion; legal power or authority; authorization; military force, an army," from Anglo-French pouair, Old French povoir, noun use of the infinitive, "to be able," earlier podir (9c.), from Vulgar Latin *potere, from Latin potis "powerful" (see potent).
- Whatever some hypocritical ministers of government may say about it, power is the greatest of all pleasures. It seems to me that only love can beat it, and love is a happy illness that can't be picked up as easily as a Ministry. [Stendhal "de l'Amour," 1822]
- Meaning "one who has power" is late 14c. Meaning "specific ability or capacity" is from early 15c. Meaning "a state or nation with regard to international authority or influence" [OED] is from 1726. Used for "a large number of" from 1660s. Meaning "energy available for work is from 1727. Sense of "electrical supply" is from 1896.
- Phrase the powers that be is from Rom. xiii:1. As a statement wishing good luck, more power to (someone) is recorded from 1842. A power play in ice hockey so called by 1940. Power failure is from 1911; power steering from 1921.
- As in governance : noun government
- As in government : noun management, administration
- From what rumour says, we take it that the Powers-that-be are very pleased with the concert.
- Extract from : « War Letters of a Public-School Boy » by Paul Jones.
- There is some talk among the powers-that-be of making this a division point.
- Extract from : « The Long Shadow » by B. M. Bower
- I had cooked dinner for some of the powers-that-be from Washington, and for dessert I made three most wonderful lemon pies.
- Extract from : « I Married a Ranger » by Dama Margaret Smith
- It was believed that the powers-that-be would take every precaution in order to avoid a rupture.
- Extract from : « The Russian Turmoil » by Anton Ivanovich Denikin
- Far off in London the powers-that-be were praying that this blonde and bearded Boer could successfully man the imperial breach.
- Extract from : « An African Adventure » by Isaac F. Marcosson
- The "powers-that-be" seem to be blind to the fact that a trained spy would not attempt to use a conspicuous camera.
- Extract from : « Billy Barcroft, R.N.A.S. » by Percy F. Westerman
- Here, I guess, we're going to wait for the powers-that-be to judge us and give us our sentence.
- Extract from : « The Raid on the Termites » by Paul Ernst
Antonyms for powers-that-be
Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019