Power Dynamics Vocabulary

verb to increase the power, status, or wealth of something or someone

• The CEO's main goal was to aggrandize the company's reputation in the industry.
• She always finds a way to aggrandize her accomplishments when talking to friends.
• Stop trying to aggrandize yourself, no one is impressed by your stories.
• The artist used bold colors and exaggerated shapes to aggrandize the emotion in the painting.

noun the act of appropriating something as one's own

• The arrogation of power by the dictator led to widespread oppression.
• His arrogation of credit for the project annoyed his colleagues.
• I can't stand his constant arrogation of success.
• The arrogation of wisdom by the old man was evident in his storytelling.

verb to make someone or something seem less impressive or important

• It is inappropriate to belittle others in a professional setting.
• Don't belittle your sister's achievements just because you're jealous.
• Stop trying to belittle me, I know what I'm doing.
• His constant criticism seemed to belittle her very existence.

noun the state of being severely restrained or confined

• The contract specified that any breach of agreement would result in financial bondage.
• She felt trapped in a cycle of emotional bondage with her toxic ex-boyfriend.
• They were caught up in some serious financial bondage after maxing out their credit cards.
• The artist used the theme of bondage in his painting to represent the constraints of society on individual freedom.

adjective showing contempt; scornful

• She shot him a contemptuous look before turning away.
• He gave her a contemptuous glare as she walked by.
• The way she rolled her eyes was so contemptuous.
• His contemptuous attitude towards authority figures often got him in trouble.

noun the exercise of control or influence over someone or something

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• The company's domination of the market was evident through its high market share.
• The team's domination on the field was impressive to watch.
• She totally dominated the dance floor with her killer moves.
• His domination over the conversation made it hard for anyone else to speak.

noun a young deer

verb to show excessive affection or admiration for someone in order to gain favor or approval

• In certain societies, people tend to fawn upon those in positions of power.
• She always fawns upon the boss to get ahead in her career.
• Stop fawning upon him, he's not as great as you think.
• The artist's work seemed to fawn upon the beauty of nature.

verb exhibiting excessive flattery or affection; to show exaggerated attention or affection towards someone in order to gain favor or approval

• The journalist was accused of fawning over the politician in her latest article.
• I can't stand how she's always fawning over him whenever he's around.
• She's always fawning over him like a lovesick puppy.
• The artist's latest work had critics fawning over its brilliance.

verb to behave in a servile or obsequious manner

adjective showing excessive humility or submissiveness

• The servant was groveling at the feet of the king, begging for forgiveness.
• Stop groveling and stand up for yourself.
• I can't believe he's groveling for her attention like that.
• She felt like she was groveling for scraps of affection in their relationship.

noun a person who is heavy handed in their approach or behavior

adjective describing someone who is overly forceful or harsh in their actions or manner

• The manager was criticized for his heavy-handed approach to discipline in the workplace.
• I don't like how heavy-handed the teacher is with giving out homework.
• The referee was being so heavy-handed with the fouls during the game.
• Her heavy-handed editing completely changed the tone of the article.

noun a title or term of respect used to address or refer to someone, such as 'Mr.', 'Mrs.', or 'Dr.'

• In Japanese culture, honorific titles such as 'san' or 'sama' are used to show respect.
• Using honorifics like 'Mr.' or 'Ms.' is a common practice in English-speaking countries.
• Some people use honorifics like 'dude' or 'bro' in a casual setting.
• The title 'Your Majesty' is a figurative honorific used to address royalty.

noun a feeling of shame or embarrassment

adjective humiliating (describing something that causes humiliation)

• The public humiliation of the accused was deemed unacceptable by the court.
• I felt a deep sense of humiliation when I tripped in front of everyone.
• She totally owned him in that debate, it was pure humiliation.
• Losing the game felt like a deep humiliation to the team.

adjective arrogantly domineering or overbearing

• The imperious tone of the CEO made it clear that his orders were not to be questioned.
• She has such an imperious attitude, always acting like she's better than everyone else.
• The bouncer gave me an imperious look and told me I couldn't come in without ID.
• The storm clouds gathered in an imperious manner, signaling the impending downpour.

noun a servant, especially a liveried footman or manservant

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• The lackey was tasked with running errands for his employer.
• The lackey had to do all the grunt work around the office.
• The lackey was basically the boss's minion.
• She referred to him as her lackey, always following her around like a shadow.

adjective characterized by or showing servile complaisance or deference; fawning

• The obsequious servant eagerly awaited his master's next command.
• She always acts so obsequious around her boss, it's kind of annoying.
• I can't stand how obsequious he is, always sucking up to the teacher.
• The politician's obsequious behavior towards the wealthy donors was transparent to everyone.

noun a prolonged cruel or unjust treatment or control

• The government's policies have been criticized for perpetuating oppression against minority groups.
• It's not right how they're treating people, it's like they're just adding to the oppression.
• The system is straight up oppressing us, it's not fair at all.
• The weight of oppression felt like a heavy burden on their shoulders, suffocating their spirits.

noun a person or group that oppresses or treats others unfairly, especially through the abuse of power

• The oppressor's regime was overthrown by the revolutionaries.
• Don't let the oppressor control your life.
• The oppressor is such a bully.
• Fear is the oppressor that holds us back from reaching our full potential.

adjective showing excessive willingness to serve or please others

• The servile attitude of the butler was evident in his every action.
• She always acts so servile around her boss, it's kind of annoying.
• I can't stand how servile he is to his girlfriend, it's like he's her puppet.
• The company's servile dependence on outdated technology is hindering its progress.

noun a person who engages in the practice of trying to improve their social status

• Social climbing is often seen as a negative trait in high society circles.
• She's always trying to climb the social ladder by befriending wealthy people.
• She's such a social climber, always trying to hang out with the cool kids.
• In the corporate world, social climbing can be compared to trying to reach the top of a never-ending ladder.

noun the state of being under the control or authority of someone else

• Citizens should not be under the subjection of unjust laws.
• I don't want to be under anyone's subjection, man.
• I'm not gonna let that teacher keep me in subjection like that.
• Her mind was under the subjection of fear, preventing her from taking risks.

verb to bring under control or domination, usually by force

• The indigenous people were subjugated by the colonial powers.
• The team was subjugated by their opponents in the match.
• She felt completely subjugated by her controlling boyfriend.
• Her fear subjugated her ability to speak up for herself.

noun the state of being subordinate or obedient

adjective subservient

• The servant's subservience to his master was evident in the way he followed orders without question.
• She resented the subservience expected of her at the job.
• I'm not about to show subservience to anyone, no way.
• The company's subservience to profit over ethics led to its downfall.

adjective showing willingness to serve or obey; submissive

• The servant was always subservient to his master's every command.
• She always acted subservient around her boss to avoid any conflict.
• He's so subservient, he'll do anything you ask him to.
• The government is accused of being subservient to the interests of big corporations.

noun excessive flattery or praise in order to gain favor or advantage

• The politician was surrounded by a group of people known for their sycophancy.
• I can't stand all the sycophancy in the office, everyone is always trying to impress the boss.
• The sycophancy at the party was so obvious, it was cringeworthy.
• His sycophancy towards the celebrity was so over-the-top, it was like he was worshipping them.

noun a person who acts obsequiously towards someone important in order to gain advantage or favor; a servile flatterer

• The CEO was surrounded by sycophants who constantly praised his every decision.
• I can't stand that guy, he's such a sycophant always trying to impress the boss.
• Don't be a sycophant, just be yourself and speak your mind.
• The sycophant's words were like honey, sweet but ultimately not to be trusted.

noun a person who behaves obsequiously to someone important in order to gain advantage

verb act in an obsequious way in order to gain advantage

• The toady was always seeking favor from the boss.
• I can't stand that toady who is always sucking up to the teacher.
• That toady is such a brown-noser.
• The politician surrounded himself with toadies who would do anything for him.

verb to act in a subservient manner; to behave obsequiously

• The employee was accused of truckling to his superiors in order to gain favor.
• Stop truckling to the boss just to get ahead, it's not worth it.
• He's always truckling to the higher-ups, it's so annoying.
• She felt like she was constantly truckling to the demands of society.

adjective not open to question or doubt; undisputed

• The scientist's unquestioned expertise in the field led to groundbreaking discoveries.
• Her unquestioned dedication to her work is truly inspiring.
• His unquestioned skills on the basketball court make him a top player.
• The artist's unquestioned talent shines through in every brushstroke.

noun the obligations or services owed by a vassal to a feudal lord

• The lord granted vassalage to his loyal subjects in exchange for their service and loyalty.
• In the olden days, being in vassalage meant you had to work for the lord in return for protection.
• Back in the feudal times, vassalage was like being a boss's minion.
• The company's strict policies felt like vassalage, with employees having to follow every rule without question.

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea

pronoun a word that takes the place of a noun

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence

conjunction a word that connects words, phrases, or clauses

article a word that defines a noun as specific or unspecific

• In this organization, it’s important to follow the rules and regulations as it’s someone’s way or the highway.
• At the party, you can either play the game or leave because it’s someone’s way or the highway.
• If you don't like how we do things here, tough luck - it’s someone’s way or the highway.
• When it comes to decision-making, the boss always makes sure it’s someone’s way or the highway.

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea

• Power hoarding within the organization led to a lack of transparency and accountability.
• The manager's power hoarding is making it difficult for others to contribute.
• Stop power hoarding and let others have a say for once.
• In a game of chess, power hoarding can lead to a stalemate where no one can make a move.

noun a plural form of the noun 'Dom', which can refer to a male name or a title for a leader or ruler in certain contexts

• The Doms of the ancient civilization were considered to be wise and just rulers.
• I heard that the Doms are throwing a party this weekend.
• The Doms at the gym are always flexing in the mirror.
• In the world of finance, the Doms are the ones who control the markets.

noun the state or quality of lacking a definite structure or organization

• The lack of hierarchy in the organization led to a state of structurelessness.
• Without a clear leader, the group fell into a state of structurelessness.
• The team was a hot mess with all its structurelessness going on.
• Her mind was a chaotic mess, a structurelessness of thoughts and emotions.

noun a state that is under the control of a more powerful state

• The small kingdom became a vassal state under the rule of the larger empire.
• The little kingdom had to do whatever the big empire said, like a vassal state.
• The tiny kingdom was basically the big empire's puppet, just a vassal state.
• In the world of business, sometimes a smaller company can feel like a vassal state to a larger corporation.