Cool MateMore powerful vs Strong
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
More powerful
Top 3,000 (common)
Strong
Top 1,000 (very common)A1adjective
Most common: Strong
| More powerful | Strong | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //mɔːr ˈpaʊəfəl//🇺🇸 //mɔr ˈpaʊərfəl// | 🇬🇧 /["/strɒŋ/","/ˈstrɒŋɡə(r)/","/ˈstrɒŋɡɪst/"]/🇺🇸 /["/strɔːŋ/","/ˈstrɔːŋɡər/","/ˈstrɔːŋɡɪst/"]/ |
| Meaning | Stronger or having greater power. | powerful or tough |
| Example | This engine is more powerful than the older model. | She has a strong desire to help others. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | A1 |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | more powerful than, more powerful engine, more powerful influence, more powerful tool, more powerful computer | be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, be still going strong, be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, be still going strong, be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, be still going strong, be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, be still going strong, be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, be still going strong, be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, be still going strong, be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, be still going strong, be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, be still going strong, be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, be still going strong |
| Antonyms | - | weak, fragile, feeble |
| Common mistakes | Using 'more powerful' with uncountable nouns incorrectly., Confusing with 'powerfuler', which is non-standard., Omitting 'more' when comparing two powerful items. | Confused with 'sturdy' for describing objects instead of strength., Using 'strong' with uncountable nouns when a different adjective is needed., Overusing 'strong' in negative contexts instead of using 'weak' or 'fragile'. |
| Usage notes | Used to compare strength, influence, or capacity. Suitable in both written and spoken contexts. Avoid using in overly casual scenarios. | Used to describe physical strength, emotional power, or intensity. Suitable in various contexts, but avoid in overly formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: More powerful vs Strong
What's the difference between More powerful and Strong?
More powerful: Stronger or having greater power. Strong: powerful or tough
Which is more common: More powerful and Strong?
Strong is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
More powerful: This engine is more powerful than the older model. Strong: She has a strong desire to help others.
Can I use More powerful and Strong interchangeably?
Not always. More powerful and Strong 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.