1
as in qi
a spiritual force that is held to emanate from or give animation to living beings many Eastern cultures believe in the significance of life energy in the healing process

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
3
as in fuel
something with a usable capacity for doing work some of the power needs of the house are provided by solar energy

Synonyms & Similar Words

4

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun energy contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of energy are force, might, power, and strength. While all these words mean "the ability to exert effort," energy applies to power expended or capable of being transformed into work.

a worker with boundless energy

When is it sensible to use force instead of energy?

While in some cases nearly identical to energy, force implies the actual effective exercise of power.

used enough force to push the door open

In what contexts can might take the place of energy?

While the synonyms might and energy are close in meaning, might implies great or overwhelming power or strength.

the belief that might makes right

When would power be a good substitute for energy?

In some situations, the words power and energy are roughly equivalent. However, power may imply latent or exerted physical, mental, or spiritual ability to act or be acted upon.

the awesome power of flowing water

When is strength a more appropriate choice than energy?

The synonyms strength and energy are sometimes interchangeable, but strength applies to the quality or property of a person or thing that makes possible the exertion of force or the withstanding of strain, pressure, or attack.

use weight training to build your strength

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of energy But critics of the job cuts have warned new energy production will do little good if the grid is unprepared for the burden of it. Zack Budryk, The Hill, 7 Mar. 2025 Interior Secretary Doug Burgum has directed his staff to review and possibly alter national monuments as part of a push to expand U.S. energy production, a move that could further shake up public lands amid mass firings of national park and forest employees. Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2025 The administration tried to freeze funding that Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act directed to clean energy, turning that particular clock back to 2022. Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2025 Adjusting schedules based on chronotype After pinpointing your chronotype, Breus recommends tailoring daily activities based on periods of peak energy and productivity levels. Amy McGorry, Fox News, 23 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for energy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for energy
Noun
  • It is believed that a women’s qi, or life force, is depleted while giving birth.
    Clarissa Wei, Bon Appétit, 16 Sep. 2024
  • Those with strong qi, who can learn to channel it, make for fierce, skilled warriors.
    Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 5 Sep. 2020
Noun
  • At the end, the main attraction is Ridley, whose vigor and charisma are unmissable on a screen of any size.
    Tomris Laffly, Variety, 21 Feb. 2025
  • In Trump’s first weeks back in office, Musk has helped the president implement the unitary executive theory with speed and vigor.
    Zachary Karabell, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The single-aisle, long-range plane with improved fuel efficiency could open a flood of new transatlantic flights.
    Maureen O'Hare, CNN, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Speaking on Friday in the Oval Office, Mr. Trump suggested that Iran’s nuclear capabilities — which now include enough near-bomb-grade fuel to produce about six weapons — were reaching a critical point.
    David E. Sanger, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • That power is vested in prosecutors as executive branch officials.
    Michael Rothfeld, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Her lung power seems surprisingly undiminished, and the same goes for her sense of pitch.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 7 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • This digital detox will cleanse and calm your aura.
    Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 26 Feb. 2025
  • And of course, no beauty splurge list would be complete without a sophisticated fragrance to elevate your winter aura.
    Tira Urquhart, Essence, 26 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Tomorrow’s artists can save on a little gas money by streaming Kelela’s live album, which features 12 selections that Kelela and her band rehearsed for four days, or the nearly 20-minute film that documents the process.
    Elise Brisco, Rolling Stone, 25 Feb. 2025
  • The resolution would unlock a mega-reconciliation bill to bolster oil and gas drilling and repeal IRA programs.
    Nick Sobczyk, Axios, 25 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • There’s an inner strength that comes out when needed.
    Jordan Greene, People.com, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Executing such an audacious plan takes courage, self-belief, and the ability to capitalise on one’s strengths.
    David Ferrini, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • So something to the spirit of that is really speaking to me.
    David Kinne, EW.com, 24 Feb. 2025
  • However nebulous, these extravagant plans signal a spirit of collaboration.
    Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker, 26 Feb. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Energy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/energy. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on energy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!