Influence & Leverage Vocabulary

the power to influence a situation or person

“Their economic leverage gave them negotiating power.”

Origin: French levier `a lever`, from lever `to raise`, from Latin levare `to lift`

influence or power, especially in politics or business

“She has enough clout to get things done.”

Origin: Old English clūt `piece of cloth, patch`, later `a blow`, possibly from striking power

influence or control over others

“He held sway over the entire organization.”

Origin: Middle Low German swājen `to swing, move to and fro`

occupation of a position of dominant power or influence

“The party's ascendancy lasted two decades.”

Origin: Latin ascendere `to climb up`, from ad- `to` + scandere `to climb`

an exclusive right or privilege

“It is the president's prerogative to grant pardons.”

Origin: Latin praerogativa `asked first`, from prae `before` + rogare `to ask`

the authority to carry out a policy, granted by the electorate

“The landslide victory gave her a clear mandate for reform.”

Origin: Latin mandatum `command`, from mandare `to order`, from manus `hand` + dare `to give`

official permission or approval; a penalty for disobedience

“The board sanctioned the new policy unanimously.”

Origin: Latin sanctio `decree`, from sancire `to ratify`, from sacer `sacred`

a constitutional right to reject a decision

“The president exercised his veto over the bill.”

Origin: Latin veto `I forbid`, from vetare `to forbid`

a formal authorization or decree

“The changes were implemented by executive fiat.”

Origin: Latin fiat `let it be done`, from fieri `to become, be made`

an official order or proclamation

“The king's edict banned public gatherings.”

Origin: Latin edictum `proclamation`, from edicere `proclaim`, from e- `out` + dicere `to say`

an official order issued by a legal authority

“The court's decree settled the matter.”

Origin: Latin decretum `decision`, from decernere `to decide`, from de- `completely` + cernere `to separate`

an order imposed by someone in power without popular consent

“The reforms were seen as a diktat from Brussels.”

Origin: German Diktat `dictation, dictated terms`, from Latin dictatum `thing dictated`