yearning for power

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "yearning for power" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a strong desire or longing for authority, control, or influence. Example: "The politician's speeches were filled with a yearning for power, appealing to the ambitions of his supporters."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

To learn what happens to Gerald, and how he becomes the envy of most conscious males with a yearning for power and glory, check out Part Two here!

Huffington Post

Our demand is not motivated by a yearning for power, but by the aspiration that the next elections are guaranteed against falling prey to the same machinations and manipulations.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The DA's support has jumped by about a third - from 17% to 22% of the vote - but this is a party characterised by a yearning impatience for power and it will be disappointed that it failed to win control of the key province of Gauteng, which includes Johannesburg.

BBC

For four years, ever since voters in South Dakota turned him out of office, Mr. Daschle has seemed to yearn for the power and prestige of his public life.

The New York Times

What makes "Music Man" worthy of Iowans' tributes and its forthcoming New York revival is not the musical's sunny ending but rather Willson's deeply felt understanding of a small town's desperate yearning for the redemptive power of making music.

The New York Times

He yearned for producer-power and producer-control, but finally had to settle for being the world's biggest acting star instead.

The Guardian - Film

When you give voice to the simple but universal yearning for human dignity, your power swells.

Unicef

All this individual yearning for more is what powers our system, the commercials, the competition, the ambition to "succeed".

The Guardian - Music

In addition, perhaps her drive for power is an unconscious yearning to meet her authoritarian father's demand for perfection, discipline and control.

Huffington Post

That she is finally back has created a hopeful flutter among producers and filmmakers who have been yearning for some unbridled female star power.

The New York Times

So have celebrity worship, scurrilous partisanship, a yearning for "outsider candidates," and Trump's own thirst for power.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "yearning for power", consider the emotional undertones. It suggests a deep, almost melancholic longing, which can add depth to your writing if used appropriately.

Common error

Avoid using "yearning for power" in highly formal or business writing where a more neutral term like "desire for authority" or "ambition for influence" might be more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "yearning for power" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a state of deeply desiring authority or control, a concept supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "yearning for power" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express a strong desire for control or influence. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, although its frequency is relatively rare. The phrase carries emotional undertones and is best used in contexts where a deeper sense of longing is intended, potentially avoided in formal business documents that require a more neutral term. Related phrases include "desire for authority" and "longing for control", offering variations in nuance and intensity. The phrase appears mainly in news and media, business, and academic sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

desire for authority

Focuses on the want for legitimate control and command.

longing for control

Emphasizes a wistful or emotional need for command.

ambition for influence

Highlights the aspirational aspect of seeking to affect outcomes or decisions.

appetite for dominance

Implies a strong, almost insatiable, drive to be in a superior position.

quest for supremacy

Indicates an active pursuit of the highest level of authority or control.

hunger for authority

Suggests a basic, primal need to be in charge or have control.

thirst for command

Similar to hunger, but emphasizes the act of giving orders and being obeyed.

drive for empowerment

Focuses on enabling oneself or others through gaining authority.

inclination toward control

Indicates a natural tendency or preference for being in a controlling position.

aspiration for influence

Points to a hopeful desire to shape events or people's actions.

FAQs

How can I use "yearning for power" in a sentence?

You can use "yearning for power" to describe a strong desire for control, influence, or authority. For example: "The dictator's every action betrayed a deep yearning for power."

What are some alternatives to "yearning for power"?

Alternatives include "desire for authority", "longing for control", or "ambition for influence", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "desire for power" or "yearning for power"?

"Desire for power" is more neutral and straightforward. "Yearning for power" implies a deeper, more emotional longing. The best choice depends on the context and the specific emotion you want to evoke.

What connotations does "yearning for power" carry?

"Yearning for power" often carries connotations of ambition, sometimes suggesting a lack or a sense of incompleteness. It can imply that the individual is not currently in a position of power and deeply desires to be.