seek power over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seek power over" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is trying to gain control or influence over another person or situation. Example: "In many organizations, individuals may seek power over their colleagues to advance their own careers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Two kinds of people inhabit the world of "Dance," those who seek power over others and those who don't.

The New York Times - Books

Their data revealed that participants who reported a younger age of exposure were more likely to seek power over women, based on their answers to the survey, which defines that behaviour as "perceived control over women at both personal and social levels".

Vice

They then asked each participant to complete a questionnaire that measures how closely men conform to certain "norms" of masculinity, such as the desire to seek power over women or the pursuit of status, which the Conformity of Masculine Norms Index (CMNI) defines as "being pleased with being thought of as important".

Vice

Their data revealed that participants who reported a younger age of exposure were more likely to seek power over women, based on their answers to the survey, which defines that behavior as "perceived control over women at both personal and social levels".

Vice

Ceasing to seek power over people and outcomes in your life is the first major step to living peacefully.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

She says they are now often seeking power over their environment through misdirection, such as continually making and destroying Facebook accounts, or steganography, a cryptographic term for hiding things in plain sight by obscuring their true meaning.

The New York Times

The old science seeks power over nature; the new science seeks partnership with nature.

Huffington Post

Who cares about the many aging, balding lotharios seeking power over the rest of us?

Huffington Post

Most of all, we seek power and control over other people -- because of the energy and security it brings to us. 3. Though out history, humans have unconsciously gained security by attempting to steal it from one another.

HuffPost

They seek power, influence and control over people and resources.

The Guardian

"We don't seek power.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seek power over" when you want to describe a deliberate effort to gain control or influence, particularly in situations involving interpersonal dynamics or competitive environments.

Common error

While "seek power over" is precise, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language with alternatives like "pursue dominance" or "strive for control" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seek power over" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating an action or intention. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes the act of attempting to gain control or influence. Examples show it used in contexts of interpersonal dynamics and competitive environments.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "seek power over" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that describes the act of attempting to gain control or influence. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While its usage is not extremely common, it appears in various contexts, particularly in news and media, to describe interpersonal dynamics or competitive scenarios. Consider alternatives like "pursue dominance" or "strive for control" to avoid repetition, and be mindful of the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pursue dominance over

Emphasizes the act of striving for a dominant position.

strive for control over

Highlights the effort to gain and maintain control.

desire authority over

Focuses on the wish for formal control and influence.

aspire to influence over

Indicates a strong ambition to exert influence.

attempt to dominate

Highlights the attempt to gain influence.

try to manipulate

Focuses on skillful handling or control.

aim to command

Highlights aiming for a state of leadership.

endeavor to govern

Highlights an earnest attempt to control.

work to sway

Focuses on efforts to shift opinions or actions.

maneuver to lead

Implies strategic actions to take the lead.

FAQs

How can I use "seek power over" in a sentence?

You can use "seek power over" to describe someone's ambition to control others or a situation, like: "In many organizations, individuals "seek power over" their colleagues to advance their own careers."

What does it mean to "seek power over" someone?

To ""seek power over"" someone means to attempt to gain control, influence, or dominance over them, often to achieve a specific goal or advantage.

What are some alternatives to "seek power over"?

Alternatives include "strive for control", "pursue dominance", or "desire authority" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative to "seek power over" others?

While ""seek power over"" often carries a negative connotation, it is not always inherently bad. In some contexts, such as leadership roles, seeking influence can be necessary for effective management and decision-making, as long as it's exercised responsibly.