a lesser power

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a lesser power" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a power or authority that is considered to be of lower status or influence compared to another. Example: "In the debate over international relations, some argue that a lesser power should still have a voice in the discussions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

For all its fiery words, China, a lesser power, respects the strength of a superpower.

The New York Times

The American president must do what even Kennedy and Khrushchev could not: treat a lesser power as an equal and pay attention to its fears.

The New York Times

The second kind of case occurs when a moving body with a given power for proceeding collides with another body that has a lesser power for resisting.

SEP

In Lebanon, Israel had to confront "The Management Secrets of HizB'Allah," which is Ramo's purposefully provocative name for what happens when a great power confronts a lesser power that has achieved some level of what he calls "Deep Security".

Forbes

It was nonsense to suggest that someone appointed with only a single high profile target was exercising a lesser power than that of a US attorney with thousands of cases that must be balanced against limited resources.

Huffington Post

Oliphant was a staunch advocate of such research, declaring that Britain needed to develop its own nuclear weapons independent of the United States in order to "avoid the danger of becoming a lesser power".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

While the peak power density of the cell (cell 3) with an YSZ blocking layer reached approximately 35 mW/cm2, that of the single-layered GDC-based cell (cell 1) showed a much lesser power density below approximately 0.01 mW/cm2, as shown in Figure 5a,b.

Nanoscale Research Letters

On the other hand, only passive affects are passions: "an affect that is called a Passion [pathema] of the Mind is a confused idea by which the Mind affirms of its Body, or some part of it, a greater or lesser power of existing [existendi vis] than before, which, when it is given determines the Mind to think of this rather than that" (III Gen. Def. of the Affects).

SEP

But it does not give Congress the power to default — which is not a lesser implied power but a vastly greater, doomsday one.

The New Yorker

The One Mini is expected to pack lesser power into a similar design, for those looking for a smaller or more affordable handset with the same style.

TechCrunch

Interestingly, the CCI revealed a lesser predictive power than the HCT-CI.

Blood Cancer Journal

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a lesser power", ensure the context clearly identifies the power being compared to and why the subject is considered lesser. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a lesser power" without specifying the dominant power or the criteria for comparison. This can lead to confusion and weaken the impact of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lesser power" functions as a noun phrase, where "lesser" modifies the noun "power". It typically acts as a subject or object in a sentence, referring to an entity with diminished influence or strength. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a lesser power" is a grammatically correct and usable expression, typically functioning as a noun phrase to describe an entity with diminished influence relative to others. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. Common in news, science, and encyclopedic contexts, it's crucial to specify the basis for comparison when using the phrase to maintain clarity. While "a lesser power" is a neutral term, its usage is often found in discussions of international relations and power dynamics. Alternatives like "a weaker power" or a minor power offer subtle differences in meaning, highlighting the importance of context when choosing the most appropriate term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a weaker power

Emphasizes the relative weakness in strength or influence.

a minor power

Highlights the insignificance or limited scope of influence.

a subordinate power

Focuses on the hierarchical relationship and dependence on a greater power.

a secondary power

Indicates a position of lower importance or rank in a power structure.

a smaller power

Underscores the limited size or scale of influence.

a diminished power

Highlights the state of decline or reduction in authority.

a reduced power

Focuses on a decrease in authority compared to a previous state.

a limited power

Emphasizes the restrictions and constraints on authority.

a regional power

Indicates power confined to a specific geographic area.

a marginal power

Highlights the peripheral or insignificant influence.

FAQs

How can I use "a lesser power" in a sentence?

You can use "a lesser power" to describe a country, organization, or entity that has less influence or strength compared to others. For example: "Even "a lesser power" can significantly impact regional stability."

What's the difference between "a lesser power" and "a minor power"?

"A lesser power" suggests a relative difference in strength or influence, while "a minor power" implies a more insignificant or peripheral role.

What are some synonyms for "a lesser power"?

Synonyms for "a lesser power" include "a weaker power", "a smaller power", or "a subordinate power", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the term "a lesser power"?

The term "a lesser power" is appropriate in political science, international relations, and historical analysis when discussing the relative influence and capabilities of different actors on the global stage.