power broker

USAGE SUMMARY

"power broker" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a person in a position of power who is adept at negotiating deals and influencing people. For example: "The mayor has a reputation as a masterful power broker, unafraid to take on the most difficult projects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

As a power broker.

The New York Times

("Power broker? I'm a pimp").

The New Yorker

“‘How long will The Power Broker last?

Princeton University

"The Power Broker" is often their touchstone.

The New York Times

You have to be a power broker.

The New York Times

She is not considered a power broker.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Taylor, an influential Vegas power-broker, adds: "It's enormously challenging.

The Guardian - Business

Ahmed Wali Karzai, the president's half-brother, is the city's main power-broker.

The Economist

Mr Moynihan was too much of a loner to become a political power-broker.

The Economist

She must prove a skillful negotiator at home and an indispensable power-broker abroad.

The New York Times

Is this the former Kremlin power-broker, known mostly for political intrigues and murky business deals?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Reserve the term for contexts involving high-stakes negotiations, political strategy, or significant corporate maneuvering.

Common error

Avoid using "power broker" when referring to a literal financial agent or commodity broker unless they are also wielding significant social or political capital. The term primarily describes metaphorical brokerage of influence rather than a specific job description.

Linguistic Context

The term "power broker" functions as a compound noun. In most sentences analyzed by Ludwig, it serves as the subject or a subject complement to define the role of a specific individual. It identifies a person whose primary activity is the negotiation of power and influence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "power broker" is a robust and widely accepted term in English, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is synonymous with influence, strategy, and the ability to navigate the complex corridors of power. The term gained iconic status largely due to Robert Caro's Pulitzer Prize-winning biography The Power Broker, which examines the life of Robert Moses. Today, it is used across news, business, and academic discourse to describe anyone—from a political <a href="/s/kingmaker" target="_blank" rel="alternative">kingmaker to a corporate <a href="/s/heavyweight" target="_blank" rel="alternative">heavyweight—who holds the keys to important decisions. Whether used in the context of international diplomacy or local city planning, it remains a precise tool for describing the mechanics of influence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

kingmaker

Focuses specifically on the ability to bring someone to power rather than exercising it directly

gray eminence

Describes a powerful person who acts behind the scenes or unofficially

dealmaker

Highlights the specific skill of negotiating and closing agreements

decision-maker

A more formal and literal description of someone who has final authority

heavyweight

Emphasizes the scale of importance or authority within a specific field

mover and shaker

A more idiomatic and informal way to describe energetic and influential people

backroom dealer

Suggests influence exerted through private or potentially unethical negotiations

influencer

Often implies social media or cultural reach rather than hard political or business negotiation

political titan

Restricts the influence specifically to the realm of government and policy

wire-puller

Carries a more negative connotation of secret manipulation

FAQs

How to use "power broker" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe an influential figure, such as: "The senator was known as a veteran <a href="/s/power+broker" target="_blank" rel="alternative">power broker who could swing any vote in the chamber."

What can I say instead of "power broker"?

You can use alternatives like <a href="/s/kingmaker" target="_blank" rel="alternative">kingmaker, <a href="/s/dealmaker" target="_blank" rel="alternative">dealmaker, or <a href="/s/influential+figure" target="_blank" rel="alternative">influential figure depending on the context.

What's the difference between "power broker" and "kingmaker"?

A <a href="/s/kingmaker" target="_blank" rel="alternative">kingmaker specifically helps others achieve positions of high office, whereas a "power broker" may simply exert influence over specific decisions or policies without necessarily appointing others.

Is "power broker" hyphenated?

It is most commonly written as two words without a hyphen. However, when used as a compound modifier before a noun, such as in "power-broker style", a hyphen may be used for clarity.