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might

auxiliary verb
\ ˈmīt How to pronounce might (audio) \

Definition of might

 (Entry 1 of 2)

past tense of may

1 —used to express permission, liberty, probability, or possibility in the past The president might do nothing without the board's consent.
2 —used to say that something is possible We might get there before it rains.I might go, but then again, I might not.
3 —used to express a present condition contrary to fact If you were older you might understand.
4a —used as a polite alternative to may Might I ask who is calling?
b —used as a polite alternative to ought or should You might at least apologize.I might have known she'd be late.

might

noun

Definition of might (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : the power, authority, or resources wielded (as by an individual or group)
b(1) : bodily strength
(2) : the power, energy, or intensity of which one is capable ran with all her might striving with might and main
2 dialect : a great deal
Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about might

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Choose the Right Synonym for might

Noun

power, force, energy, strength, might mean the ability to exert effort. power may imply latent or exerted physical, mental, or spiritual ability to act or be acted upon. the awesome power of flowing water force implies the actual effective exercise of power. used enough force to push the door open energy applies to power expended or capable of being transformed into work. a worker with boundless energy 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 might implies great or overwhelming power or strength. the belief that might makes right

Examples of might in a Sentence

Noun

 an impressive display of military might the legal might of the government

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

 Fred swam out to rescue the girls, using all of his might to bring them to the surface and onto a board another family member had brought out to assist in the rescue. — Jason Duaine Hahn, PEOPLE.com, "Father Drowns While Heroically Saving Daughters from Riptide in Florida: 'I Got You'," 24 July 2019 President Donald Trump is marshalling tanks, bombers and other machinery of war for a Fourth of July celebration that traditionally is light on military might, while critics accused him of using America's military as a political prop. — Nicholas Wu, USA TODAY, "Fox host Lou Dobbs calls American military generals 'snowflakes' on Independence Day," 4 July 2019 However, your age and original reason for going on the pill might. — Brittany Risher, Woman's Day, "Can You Still Get Pregnant During Your Period?," 1 Aug. 2019 The extent of Romania’s involvement in the Holocaust is not a topic that sits easily with those who were expecting a straightforward, unambiguous celebration of their nation’s military might. — Los Angeles Times, "Review: ‘I Do Not Care If We Go Down in History as Barbarians’ interrogates the past," 24 July 2019 Peat fires smolder, like a cigarette might, for long periods of time. — Morgan Hines, USA TODAY, "Thanks to climate change, parts of the Arctic are on fire. Scientists are concerned," 23 July 2019 Alongside Morgan's symptoms, people with Hashimoto's might experience dry skin, cold intolerance, weak shoulders and hips or mood fluctuations. — Emily Dixon, CNN, "Doctors couldn't explain why an acclaimed ballet dancer was ill. Finally, she's resurrecting her career," 13 July 2019 FlyOver won’t leave you in a cold sweat with a thumping heartbeat the way riding on the roof of a gondola might. — Rosemary Mcclure, latimes.com, "Things to do in Vancouver: Capilano Suspension Bridge and other ways to scare yourself silly," 7 July 2019 There will also be a large display of military equipment, which has drawn criticism from those who say the United States should not engage in gratuitous shows of military might. — Christina Prignano, BostonGlobe.com, "What to know about President Trump’s Salute to America," 3 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'might.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of might

Auxiliary verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for might

Auxiliary verb

Middle English, from Old English meahte, mihte; akin to Old High German mahta, mohta could

Noun

Middle English, from Old English miht; akin to Old High German maht might, magan to be able — more at may

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More Definitions for might

might

noun

English Language Learners Definition of might

: power to do something : force or strength

See the full definition for might in the English Language Learners Dictionary

might

\ ˈmīt How to pronounce might (audio) \

Kids Definition of might

 (Entry 1 of 2)

past tense of may

—used as a helping verb to show that something is possible but not likely We might arrive before it rains.

might

noun

Kids Definition of might (Entry 2 of 2)

: power that can be used (as by a person or group) our army's might I tried with all my might.

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