SAT words about power and authority.

allocated or designated for a particular task

Each student was assigned a topic for their research paper.

favoring strict obedience to authority

The authoritarian regime restricted press freedom.

having recognized knowledge or expertise; commanding respect

The professor wrote the authoritative textbook on the subject.

taking no account of other people's wishes

His autocratic management style alienated staff.

having self-government; independent

The autonomous region manages its own affairs.

using force or threats

Coercive tactics were used to extract confessions.

an authoritative order or instruction

The general issued a command to advance at dawn.

required by law or rule

Education is compulsory until age sixteen.

to entrust a task or responsibility to another person; a representative

The manager learned to delegate tasks to her capable team members.

insistent requests or requirements; asks for forcefully

The job demands excellent communication skills and attention to detail.

supporting or practicing democracy

The democratic process allows citizen participation.

of or typical of a despot; tyrannical

The despotic ruler crushed all dissent.

to state or order authoritatively; to control or influence

Market conditions will dictate the pricing strategy for the new product.

guided or aimed toward a particular direction or purpose

The officer directed traffic away from the accident scene.

power and influence over others; the state of being dominant

The company maintained its market dominance for over a decade.

asserting one's will over others

His domineering personality overwhelmed others.

believing in equal rights for all

The egalitarian society valued equal opportunity.

to give power or authority to

Education can empower disadvantaged communities.

leadership or dominance, especially by one country

The empire's hegemony extended across continents.

assuming power or authority without justification

Her imperious manner irritated colleagues.

the capacity to have an effect on someone's character, development, or behavior

Her parents had a strong influence on her career choice.

had an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something

The artist was greatly influenced by the Impressionist movement.

establishing or introducing a system, policy, or practice

The government is instituting new regulations to protect consumers.

to make something legally or officially unacceptable; to prove wrong

New evidence could invalidate the previous research findings.

permissive, merciful, or tolerant

The lenient judge gave a light sentence.

required by law or rules; compulsory

Attendance at the safety training session is mandatory for all new employees.

required by law or rules

Attendance at the meeting is mandatory.

unjustly harsh or authoritarian

The oppressive laws restricted basic freedoms.

available to be chosen but not obligatory

The extra credit assignment is optional.

having great power, influence, or effect

The powerful speech inspired the crowd to take action.

recommended or authorized officially; ordered as a medical treatment

The doctor prescribed antibiotics for the infection.

to control or maintain the rate or speed of something; to control by means of rules

The government must regulate the financial industry more effectively.

possessing supreme power

The sovereign nation rejected foreign interference.

the action of bringing under domination

The subjugation of indigenous peoples was brutal.

ready to conform to authority

The submissive employee never challenged decisions.

lower in rank or position

The subordinate officer followed orders.

prepared to obey others unquestioningly

The subservient assistant anticipated every need.

exercising power in a cruel or arbitrary way

The tyrannical boss terrorized employees.