verb · formal
empower
UK/ɪmˈpaʊə(r)/US/ɪmˈpaʊər/em·POW·er
Band 6-7speakingtask2
to give someone power, authority, or the ability to do something
Examples
“Many NGOs run training courses to empower women in rural communities.”
“Policies that empower workers to negotiate wages can reduce inequality.”
“In the IELTS Speaking test, try to say how an experience empowered you rather than just describing it.”
Band 8 sentence
“Effective public policies should empower marginalized groups to participate fully in economic life.”
Collocations
- empower someone to do something
- empower local communities
Word family
empowerment noun
Common mistakes
make someone empowered→empower someone
be empowered by someone→be empowered to do something
Say it for a higher band
5allow→6enable→7+empower
Synonyms
enable
authorize
Easily confused
enable
“Training enabled her to use the software.”
Related words
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In Sublist 9
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