abuse power

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'abuse power' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe a person or an organization misusing their authority or influence in a way that is harmful or damaging to another person or group. For example: The company was investigated for abusing its power to unfairly influence the stock market.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Huffington Post

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Greater numerical balance between people of different groups constrains the abuses of power: Those from less powerful groups have more allies, they are more likely to be watchfully present in the contexts in which the powerful abuse power, and they are more likely to feel empowered to speak truth to power.

University of California, Berkeley

There is no more powerful licence to abuse power than to believe you are on the right side of a neat divide between good and evil.

The Guardian

Powerful people could abuse power, seize control, but they would inevitably be brought back into the fold by these generations of scholar officials.

Huffington Post

For a romantic/intimate relationship in popular film to "pass" the Abuse Litmus Test (to be free of abuse, power imbalance and harm), as a moviegoer, I would need to answer "YES" to question 1 (partners share equal power) and "NO" to questions 2 and 3. So, how does "Wonder Woman" do?

Huffington Post

You can't abuse power in the workplace and then seek the most powerful job in the world.

Huffington Post

Rome slowly began to decline as its wealthy citizens started to abuse power and lived decadently, while the empire was maintained by an expensive and powerful army who while serving could not look after their own farms and estates that the empire depended on.

WikiHow

Why do people abuse power?

The Guardian - Books

I did not abuse power.

The Guardian

"Don't abuse power for selfish gain, don't seek special privileges".

The New York Times

It isn't countries that abuse power now, but individuals.

The New York Times

"There will always be people in our society who abuse power," Macleish continued.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "abuse power" to describe situations where authority is used unjustly for personal gain or to harm others.

Common error

Do not simply state that "power" is abused without specifying who is abusing it. Provide concrete examples or contexts to support your claim.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "abuse power" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "abuse" acts as a transitive verb and "power" serves as its direct object. It signifies the act of improperly or corruptly using authority or control. As Ludwig AI confirms, it accurately describes the misuse of authority. Examples across the sources demonstrate its role in accusing individuals or institutions of wrongdoing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

20%

Huffington Post

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "abuse power" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the improper or corrupt use of authority. As Ludwig AI states, it is used to depict situations where authority is used unjustly for personal gain or to harm others. This analysis reveals that "abuse power" is frequently found in News & Media and Academic contexts, carrying a neutral to formal register. To prevent vagueness in writing, specify who is misusing authority and provide examples supporting claims. Alternatives such as "misuse authority" or "exploit influence" offer nuanced ways to express similar concepts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

misuse authority

Focuses specifically on the improper use of official authority.

exploit influence

Emphasizes the use of personal or positional influence for unfair advantage.

wield power corruptly

Indicates that power is being wielded in a corrupt way.

domineer unfairly

Highlights the act of dominating others in an unjust manner.

take advantage

Illustrates the way that someone benefits unfairly from a position of power.

oppress unjustly

Stresses the oppressive nature of the misuse of power, focusing on the victims.

tyrannize subordinates

Specifically refers to the tyrannical treatment of those in a lower position.

manipulate position

Focuses on the manipulation of one's rank for personal gain.

govern despotically

Describes a form of government which is oppressive and autocratic.

trample rights

Emphasises a disregard for the rights of others.

FAQs

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

You can use "abuse power" to describe situations where someone in a position of authority misuses their power for personal gain or to harm others. For example, "The politician was accused of "abusing power" for personal enrichment".

What are some alternatives to "abuse power"?

Alternatives to "abuse power" include "misuse authority", "exploit influence", or "domineer unfairly". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "misuse power" and "abuse power"?

While both phrases relate to the improper use of authority, "abuse power" often implies a more severe or malicious intent than "misuse power", which can sometimes suggest unintentional or negligent misapplication.

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

It's appropriate to use "abuse power" in contexts involving politics, law, business, or personal relationships where someone with authority acts unjustly or corruptly. It is often used in discussions of ethics, morality, and governance.