Basic Details
Word: Empower
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: To give someone the authority or power to do something; to make someone feel stronger and more confident.
Synonyms: Enable, authorise, strengthen
Antonyms: Weaken, hinder, discourage
Idioms and Phrases
- Empower someone to soar: To give someone the confidence and support to achieve their dreams. Example: "The coach empowered her to soar by believing in her talents."
- Empower the community: To enable a group of people to take action and make decisions for themselves. Example: "The project aims to empower the community to organise their own events."
Usage Examples
Example 1: Teachers should strive to empower their students by encouraging them to express their thoughts freely.
Example 2: The new programme was designed to empower young women to pursue careers in science and technology.
Example 3: Governments can empower citizens by providing them with the necessary resources and support to succeed.
Fun Fact
The word empower comes from the combination of em (which means "to make") and power, suggesting giving power or authority to someone, and it has been in use since the late 20th century in various social movements.
Famous Quote
"The best way to empower others is to be a model for them." John C. Maxwell
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "empower" mean?
a) To take away authority
b) To give someone power or confidence
c) To restrict someone's actions
d) To weaken a person's abilities
Answer: b) To give someone power or confidence
2. Which of these is a synonym of "empower"?
a) Discourage
b) Enable
c) Limit
d) Hinder
Answer: b) Enable
3. What is an antonym of "empower"?
a) Authorise
b) Strengthen
c) Weaken
d) Encourage
Answer: c) Weaken
4. Which sentence uses "empower" correctly?
a) She empowered her dog to bark loudly.
b) The programme aims to empower citizens with skills.
c) He felt empowered by the rain.
d) The cat empowered itself to climb the tree.
Answer: b) The programme aims to empower citizens with skills.
5. Which idiom refers to giving someone confidence?
a) Empower someone to soar
b) Light a fire
c) In the drivers seat
d) Walking on air
Answer: a) Empower someone to soar
