power-hungry

USAGE SUMMARY

"power-hungry" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe someone who is excessively eager for power or control. Example: The CEO's power-hungry nature led to a toxic work environment. Alternative expressions include "power-seeking" and "ambitious for power."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

They are power-hungry," she eventually continues.

Independent

How power-hungry was Caesar?

The New York Times

That makes electron rings extremely power-hungry.

The Economist

All three are young and power-hungry.

The Economist

Data centres are power-hungry beasts.

The Economist

But they are also slow, heavy and power-hungry.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

Pot is power hungry.

The Guardian

Everyone is selfish, power hungry, and awful.

The New Yorker

Lodge viewed Wilson as power hungry.

The New York Times

"Keith was power hungry," says one.

The Guardian

Listeners accused the government of being power hungry and vengeful.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing individuals, consider the intensity of their ambition. "Power-hungry" can have negative connotations, so ensure it accurately reflects their behavior. Using alternatives like "ambitious" may be more appropriate in some contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "power-hungry" in highly formal or professional documents where a more neutral tone is preferred. Opt for phrases like "seeking greater responsibility" or "demonstrating leadership potential" to maintain a professional demeanor.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "power-hungry" is as a compound adjective. It modifies nouns to describe someone or something that has a strong desire for power or that consumes a lot of power, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

23%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

3%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "power-hungry" functions primarily as a compound adjective, commonly used to describe an excessive desire for power or high energy consumption. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, with usage spanning from news and media to scientific contexts. While a common term, consider the negative connotations and context formality when choosing this phrase. For formal writing, neutral alternatives may be more suitable. Remember to leverage Ludwig's examples for contextual accuracy and refine your writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

authority-hungry

This alternative replaces "power" with "authority".

ambitious for power

This alternative focuses on ambition as the driving force.

having a thirst for power

This uses metaphorical language to describe a strong desire for power.

grasping for control

This suggests a more active and potentially desperate pursuit of control.

desirous of authority

This phrase emphasizes the longing for authority.

control-seeking

This alternative is more clinical and less judgmental.

domination-obsessed

This suggests a fixation on achieving dominance.

craving influence

This emphasizes the desire for influence rather than direct power.

always wanting more authority

It uses a more verbose structure instead of just one compound adjective.

acquisitive of command

This phrase uses more formal language to describe the desire for command.

FAQs

How can I use "power-hungry" in a sentence?

You can use "power-hungry" to describe someone who has a strong desire for power, such as, "The politician was described as a "power-hungry" individual who would do anything to win."

What's the difference between "ambitious" and "power-hungry"?

"Ambitious" is generally a positive term describing someone with goals, while "power-hungry" implies a negative connotation of someone excessively desiring power, possibly through unethical means.

What are some synonyms for "power-hungry"?

Some synonyms for "power-hungry" include "ambitious for power", "grasping for control", and "authority-hungry".

Is it appropriate to use "power-hungry" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "power-hungry" can be perceived as judgmental. In formal writing, consider using more neutral alternatives such as "seeking greater responsibility" or "demonstrating leadership potential"" depending on the context.