least powerful

USAGE SUMMARY

"least powerful" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It is often used to compare different levels of power or influence within a sentence. Example sentence: "The CEO has the most authority in the company, while the interns have the least powerful roles." This sentence highlights the difference in power between the CEO and the interns.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The Woman's Hour power list ensured that at least powerful women were being discussed, even if the Queen was in the No 1 slot.

The Guardian

It is one of the hallmarks of colonialism that the poorest, least powerful citizen of an occupying nation can wield enormous power in an occupied territory.

The Guardian

This is a private company using government's punitive power to extract money from Georgia's poorest and least powerful.

The Economist

The least powerful images are often the most suggestive.

The New Yorker

"It victimizes the least powerful and the neediest.

The New York Times

For now, forecasts show that the storm could become a Category 1 hurricane, the least powerful.

The New York Times

The executive branch was sort of the least powerful at the time.

The New York Times

The individual is always the least powerful when dealing with state institutions.

The Guardian

Over the years, Mr. Islam had reached out to the least powerful as well.

The New York Times

The group later added: "DDoS is of course our least powerful and most abundant ammunition.

The Guardian

The pie is shrinking, so the smallest and least powerful no longer get their pieces.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "least powerful", ensure the context clearly establishes the basis of comparison. For example, specify "the least powerful nation" or "the least powerful member of the team".

Common error

Avoid using "least powerful" in situations where other descriptors like 'smallest' or 'newest' are more accurate. The term should specifically relate to a deficit of influence, authority, or force.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "least powerful" functions primarily as an adjective phrase. It modifies a noun to indicate a state of having minimal influence, authority, or strength in comparison to others. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "least powerful" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something lacking influence or strength. As Ludwig highlights, it's often used to compare power dynamics across various domains, from politics to science. While versatile, it's crucial to ensure the context provides a clear basis for comparison to avoid ambiguity. Frequent usage in reputable news sources like the New York Times and Guardian, as well as scientific publications, underscores its broad applicability and legitimacy. Remember to focus on influence or authority when choosing "least powerful" over other terms like 'weakest' or 'smallest'.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

weakest

Direct synonym referring to minimal strength.

most vulnerable

Focuses on susceptibility to harm rather than lack of power.

most defenseless

Highlights the inability to protect oneself.

most helpless

Emphasizes the lack of ability to act independently.

smallest

Refers to size, often correlated with power.

most insignificant

Indicates a lack of importance or consequence.

most minor

Suggests minimal impact or relevance.

most trivial

Highlights unimportance and lack of significance.

underdog

Implies a disadvantageous position in a competition or situation.

marginalized

Focuses on being excluded from power structures.

FAQs

How can I use "least powerful" in a sentence?

You can use "least powerful" to describe entities lacking influence or strength, as in "The courts were intended to be the "least powerful" branch of government" or "He is inflicting harm against the "least powerful" among us".

What's a good alternative to "least powerful"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "weakest", "most vulnerable", or "most insignificant". Choose the word that best reflects the intended meaning.

When is it appropriate to use "least powerful" over other similar terms?

Use "least powerful" when you specifically want to emphasize a lack of authority, influence, or control, rather than simply a lack of physical strength or size.

Is "least powerful" always negative?

Not necessarily. While it often describes a disadvantageous position, it can also be used neutrally to describe the initial state of something, such as "the "least powerful" setting on the device".