cede power

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cede power" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe the process of giving up power or control over something, usually in a political sense. For example: "With the recent elections, the ruling party ceded power to the opposition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It is also the occasion when older officials cede power.

The Economist

At times the SCAF has seemed reluctant to cede power.

The Economist

Thus challenged, the army might even cede power gracefully.

The Economist

But to whom exactly could the United States cede power?

The New York Times

And Mr Osborne had trouble persuading central departments to cede power to regional cities.

The Economist

The main dispute: How to persuade Mr. Qaddafi to cede power.

The New York Times

The president is reluctant to cede power to what he calls an "oligarchy" in Santa Cruz.

The Economist

Many Egyptians doubt the military will ever cede power to elected civilian leaders.

The New York Times

Cede power and bind them in, and interests and problems are shared.

The Economist

Gbagbo, who had repeatedly forced postponement of the poll, refused to cede power, alleging fraud.

The Guardian

But while he empowered, he then didn't want to cede power.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cede power" when you want to emphasize the act of formally or officially giving up control, especially in political or organizational contexts. For example, "The dictator was forced to "cede power" after the revolution."

Common error

Avoid using "cede power" when describing temporary delegation or sharing of responsibilities. "Cede power" implies a more permanent and substantial transfer of control, not just temporary assignment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cede power" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating the action of relinquishing control or authority. It typically involves a subject (the entity giving up power) and an object (the entity receiving power, or the power itself). As Ludwig AI explains, this phrase describes the process of giving up control.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cede power" is a verb phrase signifying the relinquishment of control or authority, primarily used in formal contexts like news and business. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly employed to describe the transfer of power, often in political or organizational settings. Alternatives like "relinquish authority" or "transfer control" can be used depending on the specific context. Avoid using "cede power" when describing temporary delegation, as it implies a more permanent shift. Understanding these nuances ensures accurate and effective communication when discussing power dynamics.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

relinquish authority

Similar to "cede power", but may imply a more formal or complete handover of authority.

transfer authority

Focuses on the formal act of passing authority to another party.

transfer control

Focuses on the act of moving control from one entity to another.

hand over power

A more informal way of saying "cede power", suggesting a direct transfer.

waive power

Suggests voluntarily giving up a power or right.

yield control

Implies giving way to another's control, often under pressure.

surrender authority

Suggests a forced or unwilling relinquishment of authority.

give up control

A general term for losing or abandoning control.

abdicate power

Implies a formal and often monarchical relinquishment of power.

devolve power

Describes transferring power from a central authority to local or regional bodies.

FAQs

How is "cede power" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "cede power" usually involves a transfer of control from one entity or person to another, often in political or organizational contexts. For instance: "The military government agreed to "cede power" to a civilian administration." or "The CEO decided to "cede power" to her successor after 20 years of leadership."

What are some alternatives to saying "cede power"?

You can use alternatives like "relinquish authority", "transfer control", or "hand over power" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "cede power" and "delegate authority"?

"Cede power" implies a more permanent and complete transfer of control, while "delegate authority" involves assigning specific tasks or responsibilities without giving up overall control. You "delegate authority", but you "cede power".

Is it correct to say "cede power back"?

While grammatically correct, "cede power back" can be redundant if the original holder is the one receiving the power. It's more precise to say "return power" or "restore power" in such cases. However, if power is being ceded back to a different entity than the original holder, "cede power back" is acceptable.