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High-powered

adj. capable, resilient professional

What it means

Meaning 1

Having substantial influence, authority, or professional capability.

Reach for it when describing a person or group with real institutional power

A high-powered legal team agreed to represent the tenants without charge.

Meaning 2

Producing or using a large amount of physical power.

Reach for it when describing equipment whose power level is relevant to performance or safety

The high-powered lamp requires shielding during close inspection.

Words to choose between 8

By register, from playful at the top to literary at the bottom, and by meaning across. Tap a word to see when it fits.
Meaning 1Meaning 2
playful
everyday
professional
formal
literary

Meaning 1: Having substantial influence, authority, or professional capability.

  • playful

    elite

    Fits when selection and exceptional standing are central

    Careful Elite can signal exclusion or status without useful capability.

  • professional

    influential

    Fits when ability to shape decisions is the exact fact

    Careful Influential can arise from trust or expertise without formal power.

  • professional

    senior

    Fits when organizational rank explains access or authority

    Careful Seniority does not guarantee influence, judgment, or performance.

  • formal

    formidable

    Fits when capability and reputation command serious attention

    Careful Formidable can sound intimidating and does not establish actual authority.

Meaning 2: Producing or using a large amount of physical power.

  • everyday

    heavy-duty

    Fits when equipment is built for demanding use

    Careful Heavy-duty concerns durability and workload, not necessarily power.

  • everyday

    powerful

    Fits when substantial force or output should be stated plainly

    Careful Powerful may describe influence and can be ambiguous without the device named.

  • professional

    high-output

    Fits when measured output rather than input power matters

    Careful High output can come from efficiency and does not mean high-powered.

  • literary

    potent

    Fits when a small source produces an unusually strong effect

    Careful Potent often describes chemicals or influence and may not mean high electrical or mechanical power.

Opposites 4

  • powerless
  • junior
  • low-powered
  • underpowered

Common phrases 3

  • high-powered team

    The high-powered team still invited residents to challenge its assumptions.

  • high-powered executive

    A high-powered executive cannot substitute authority for evidence.

  • high-powered equipment

    High-powered equipment stays locked until trained staff begin the test.

Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Updated