Power & Authority Vocabulary

leadership or dominance, especially of one nation over others

“The empire maintained hegemony over the region for centuries.”

Origin: Greek `hēgemonia` (leadership) from `hēgemōn` (leader), from `hēgeisthai` (to lead)

supreme power or authority; self-governance

“The nation defended its sovereignty against foreign interference.”

Origin: Old French `soveraineté` from `soverain` (supreme), from Vulgar Latin `superanus`, from Latin `super` (above)

the right or condition of self-government; independence

“The department was granted autonomy to make its own decisions.”

Origin: Greek `autonomia` from `autonomos` (self-governing), from `autos` (self) + `nomos` (law)

a system of government by one person with absolute power

“The autocracy suppressed all forms of dissent.”

Origin: Greek `autokrateia` from `autokratēs` (self-ruling), from `autos` (self) + `kratos` (power, rule)

a government in which power is held by a small group

“Critics claimed the country was really an oligarchy controlled by the wealthy.”

Origin: Greek `oligarkhia` from `oligoi` (few) + `arkhein` (to rule)

government by the wealthy; a ruling wealthy class

“Some argue democracy has devolved into plutocracy.”

Origin: Greek `ploutokratia` from `ploutos` (wealth) + `kratos` (power, rule)

government or holding of power by people selected based on ability

“The company claimed to be a meritocracy where talent was rewarded.”

Origin: Latin `meritum` (deserve, earn) + Greek `kratos` (power, rule); coined in 1958 by Michael Young

the exercise of absolute power, especially cruelly

“The people suffered under years of despotism.”

Origin: Greek `despotēs` (master, lord) + French `-isme` (-ism)

cruel and oppressive government or rule

“The revolution overthrew the tyranny that had lasted decades.”

Origin: Greek `tyrannia` (rule of a tyrant) from `tyrannos` (absolute ruler)

the action of bringing under domination or control

“The subjugation of the native population was brutal.”

Origin: Latin `subjugare` (bring under the yoke), from `sub-` (under) + `jugum` (yoke)

the exercise of control or influence over others

“The company's market domination concerned regulators.”

Origin: Latin `dominatio` from `dominari` (to rule, govern), from `dominus` (lord, master)

the state of being supreme; highest authority

“The court's supremacy in interpreting the law was established.”

Origin: Latin `supremus` (highest), superlative of `superus` (that is above), from `super` (above)

the official power to make legal decisions and judgments

“The matter fell outside the court's jurisdiction.”

Origin: Latin `jurisdictio` from `jus` (law, right) + `dicere` (to say, declare)

a right or privilege exclusive to a particular person or group

“Declaring war is a prerogative of Congress.”

Origin: Latin `praerogativus` (asked first to vote), from `prae-` (before) + `rogare` (to ask)

an official order or commission; authority granted by voters

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

Origin: Latin `mandatum` (command), from `mandare` (to commit, enjoin), from `manus` (hand) + `dare` (to give)

an official order or proclamation issued by a person in authority

“The king issued an edict banning public gatherings.”

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

an official order issued by a legal authority

“The decree established new regulations for the industry.”

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

an order or principle that must be obeyed

“Fashion dictates changed dramatically each season.”

Origin: Latin `dictare` (say often, prescribe), frequentative of `dicere` (to say)

a formal authorization or decree; an arbitrary order

“The decision was made by executive fiat.”

Origin: Latin `fiat` (let it be done), third person singular present subjunctive of `fieri` (to become)

to take a position of power illegally or by force

“The general usurped control from the elected government.”

Origin: Latin `usurpare` (to take possession of), from `usus` (use) + `rapere` (to seize)

a system of government that is centralized and dictatorial and requires complete subservience

“Totalitarianism suppresses individual freedom entirely.”

Origin: Italian `totalitario` from `totale` (total), coined in 1920s to describe fascist regime; from Latin `totalis` (whole)

a state of disorder due to absence or nonrecognition of authority

“The country descended into anarchy after the government collapsed.”

Origin: Greek `anarkhia` from `anarkhos` (without a ruler), from `an-` (without) + `arkhos` (ruler)