overarching power

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "overarching power" is correct and usable in written English.
It is generally used to refer to a powerful force or entity that dominates or controls other elements. For example, "A benevolent government should provide its citizens with rights and protections, rather than an overarching power that seeks to control them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Octavian's power was now unassailable and in 27 BC the Roman Senate formally granted him overarching power and the new title Augustus, effectively marking the end of the Roman Republic.

Wikipedia

In my scholarly field of political theory, radical critiques of constitutional democracy (whether Marxist, Foucauldian, feminist, Freudian, or post-structuralist) commonly contend that the rule of law is a sham, a pretense, a mere cover for underlying or overarching power interests.

Huffington Post

"We will look at the last six years and ask: Did our changes help?" The relatively minor changes will do little to alter the overarching power the mayor has over the city schools.

The New York Times

How, they ask, in a world saturated with information, with yet more art and antiques programs (guilty ), books (guilty), art courses and the overarching power of the main auction houses, can great artworks slip by?

The New York Times

At the same time, Taliban leaders can still exploit their position as moral authorities — Taliban means religious students — which gives them overarching power over the various commanders, bandits, smugglers and insurgents fighting around Afghanistan.

The New York Times

And in that sense, this stadium feels like a mythic gesture: A challenge for people in Qatar to see yet suppress acknowledgement of the overarching power of women on this planet.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Whereas colonial authorities initially attempted to destroy the overarching powers of the African kings and paramounts, who had led the military resistance to colonialism and symbolized the cohesion of their people, the role of intermediate chiefs in providing a cheap administrative infrastructure was soon recognized.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In recent years, he had run the U.N. administrations in Kosovo and East Timor, where he had been invested with virtually the same overarching powers that L. Paul Bremer, the head of the Coalition Provisional Authority, had been given in Iraq.

The New Yorker

The broadcasters didn't hold their horses long enough to learn that Roberts was going on to say that the overarching constitutional power of Congress to levy taxation trumped this earlier finding, in fact legitimized the law's 'individual mandate' -- and thus the Act survived.

Huffington Post

That's because the shopping spree demands an overarching infrastructure to power functions such as logistics and payments.

TechCrunch

I think the overarching themes here are power and superiority, rather than slickness.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "overarching power" when you want to emphasize a single, dominant force that governs or influences other aspects. For example, "The mayor's office holds the overarching power in the city's budget decisions."

Common error

Avoid using "overarching power" when referring to limited or specific authorities. It's best suited for situations where the power has wide-ranging influence, not for describing localized or task-specific roles. For instance, avoid saying 'The committee has overarching power over the bake sale' since bake sales are limited in scope.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "overarching power" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective 'overarching' modifies the noun 'power'. It describes a power that is all-encompassing or dominant. Ludwig shows examples of its use in diverse contexts, which are mainly in news.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "overarching power" is a valid and useful phrase for describing a dominant or all-encompassing form of authority or control. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its correct grammatical structure and usage. While not extremely common, it appears consistently in news, academic, and encyclopedic contexts. Be mindful of the breadth of influence when using this phrase to ensure it accurately reflects the situation. Consider alternatives like "supreme authority" or "dominant influence" to fine-tune your meaning. Avoid using it in situations that suggest very specific, contained authorities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

supreme authority

Focuses on the ultimate right to command or enforce obedience.

ultimate control

Highlights the final say or management over something.

dominant influence

Emphasizes the prevailing effect on others or something.

comprehensive authority

Indicates a wide-ranging and inclusive power.

total command

Stresses complete control and direction.

absolute dominion

Implies unrestricted power and ownership.

unilateral control

Suggests control exercised by one party or entity alone.

higher jurisdiction

Points to a superior level of authority or legal power.

broad scope

Shifts the focus to the extensive range of influence or application.

far-reaching impact

Highlights the extensive and significant effects of a power.

FAQs

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

You can use "overarching power" to describe a dominant authority or influence. For instance, "The federal government has an overarching power to regulate interstate commerce."

What is a good synonym for "overarching power"?

Alternatives to "overarching power" include "supreme authority", "ultimate control", or "dominant influence", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "overarching power" formal or informal language?

"Overarching power" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it's more commonly found in professional or journalistic writing.

How does "overarching power" differ from "substantial power"?

"Overarching power" suggests a broader scope of influence and control, whereas "substantial power" simply indicates a significant amount of power without necessarily implying a controlling influence over other areas.