Powers vs Strength

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Powers

Top 1,000 (very common)

Strength

Top 1,000 (very common) B1 noun

	Powers	Strength
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 //ˈpaʊəz// 🇺🇸 //ˈpaʊərz//	🇬🇧 /["/streŋkθ/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/streŋkθ/"]/
Meaning	The ability to do something or control something.	The ability to be strong or powerful.
Example	The government has the powers to implement new laws.	Her strength helped her lift the heavy box with ease.
Register	Neutral	Neutral
How common	Top 1,000 (very common)	Top 1,000 (very common)
CEFR level	-	B1
Part of speech		noun
Collocations	abuse powers, exercise powers, transfer powers	considerable, enormous, great, have, possess, lack, grow, increase, decline, up to strength, below strength, under strength, at full strength, back to full strength, every ounce of strength, considerable, enormous, great, have, possess, lack, grow, increase, decline, up to strength, below strength, under strength, at full strength, back to full strength, every ounce of strength, considerable, enormous, great, have, possess, lack, grow, increase, decline, up to strength, below strength, under strength, at full strength, back to full strength, every ounce of strength, considerable, enormous, great, have, possess, lack, grow, increase, decline, up to strength, below strength, under strength, at full strength, back to full strength, every ounce of strength, considerable, enormous, great, have, possess, lack, grow, increase, decline, up to strength, below strength, under strength, at full strength, back to full strength, every ounce of strength, great, real, individual, capitalize on, exploit, play to, come from something, lie in something, strengths and weaknesses, considerable, enormous, great, have, possess, lack, grow, increase, decline, up to strength, below strength, under strength, at full strength, back to full strength, every ounce of strength
Antonyms	weakness, impotence	weakness, frailty
Common mistakes	Confused with 'power' as a singular form., Misused in phrases without proper context., Incorrectly used with plural verbs.	Confused with 'strong', which is an adjective., Using 'strengths' when referring to good qualities or skills, but should specify context., May forget to use in plural form where applicable (e.g., 'strengths' for multiple qualities).
Usage notes	Used in various contexts including politics, science, and personal abilities. Not usually used in casual conversation.	Used when talking about physical power, mental resilience, or overall capacity. In formal contexts, it might refer to both human and material strength. Avoid using in very casual conversations where simpler words like 'power' may suffice.

See it in real clips

Your guilt defines her. It's what powers her.

Powers

The Lord Of The Rings › The return of the king

Then we gather our full strength and march on the Black Gate.

Strength

Frequently asked questions: Powers vs Strength

What's the difference between Powers and Strength?

Powers: The ability to do something or control something. Strength: The ability to be strong or powerful.

Can you show an example of each?

Powers: The government has the powers to implement new laws. Strength: Her strength helped her lift the heavy box with ease.

Can I use Powers and Strength interchangeably?

Not always. Powers and Strength are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.