The most powerful word in the English language

When we use the language we want to do so with power. One strategy for doing that is to brandish powerful words that cut through our prose like sabers.

But which words constitute the most powerful in the vast English repertoire is a matter of some debate. You would know that from a chat with Christy Miles, marketing manager at SWC Technology Partners in greater Chicago area. She and I are members of a LinkedIn group titled Writing Mafia.

A couple of weeks ago Ms. Miles dropped this question on the group’s 10,000 members: “What do you think is the most powerful word in the world and why?”

There were around 150 replies from people whose answers ranged from the flippant to earnest to philosophical. One respondent posited that the most powerful word changes with the stages of life, but ultimately comes full circle.

• Beginning of life: Mama
• Teens: Freedom
• Young adulthood: Love
• Middle adulthood: Money
• Golden age: Grandchildren
• Old age: Mama
• And of course, in places like the Burma or Sudan or the Congo, all of the above takes a back seat to peace

Other respondents voted for the following choices:

• Forgiveness can be pretty powerful. Afterall, aren’t most of the world’s religions based on it?
• Maybe it’s my mood today, but my first thought was no. It can be forceful, even protective, but it’s always clear. But my Pollyanna side is saying hope
• Knowledge because there is an old “knowledge is power”
• Powerful words. Hmm. Love, peace, Woodstock. Powerful but for whom? Most of us do not share in the power of words; rather we’re subject to their power. Seduced and manipulated by the powerful with words. This division of power is clearly demonstrated through their use by political and media usage. We may want to examine the words we are generally prohibited or discouraged from using. #%&!
• Liberty. All the blood that’s been shed over it, it should be pretty important
• Perhaps it is death. The word encapsulates our fears and our basic instincts for survival. It is an inevitable consequence for all of us, yet we know very little about it
• Dream. It can be the motivation that spurs people to realize great heights, drives forward great improvements in civilizations and society. It can also be a heart breaker and lead to devastation when it cannot be realized
• Help has a lot power. Shout help me! and you are sure to get a response. Most folks will try to help someone who needs help. I’ve gotten great results over the years from sales letters that started out something like: “I made a mistake and I really need your help”
• People. It has its pejorative sense, of course – “you people,” “those people” – but the evocation of ‘people’ is the sum-total of humanity. “We the people”
• Love. It’s universal and transcends power
• Hate. Unfortunately universal and powerful
• Taxes! Very powerful word. Provokes action, outrage, anger, protest, laws, secession, war, elections, mutinies, etc.
• How about apathy? It negates the power of all the other words
• Why. If you think about it, the progress of people, societies, communities, science, technology, etc are all based on creative curiosity
• Hope. It’s the one word everyone must fit into their lives one way or another
• Power, the good kind that comes from within rather than the absolute kind that corrupts absolutely
• Confidence. You’re a lot more powerful with it than without it
• Money. It motivates people throughout the world for good and bad (sadly)
• Truth
• Miracle
• Faith

By my count the most votes were cast for the word love.

And, of course, there were the mandatory references to God and Jesus, though I consider that cheating because they are entities rather than just words – much like Churchill or Gandhi or Da Vinci.

My own vote was cast for yes because every member of humanity is waiting to hear that word in one form or another.

It was a fun exercise, even if there is no such thing as a most-powerful-word in the language. It all depends on the person, the context and emotions of the moment. That’s why finding the right word is a tricky task, even for professional wordsmiths.

Then again, why let such distinctions put a damper on a fun and thoughtful exercise? What do you think is the most powerful and durable word in the language, given the multitude of circumstances and contexts of linguistic use? Enter your pick in the Comments box.

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