Y08W06VC Theme Words — Power & authority

Arranged or organised according to a system of ranks or levels of authority, with some people or groups having more power than others.

Word Breakdown: -al (suffix meaning ‘relating to’, attached to ‘hierarchy’)

Word family: hierarchy (n.), hierarchically (adv.)

Example: Many traditional institutions are organised in a hierarchical structure where decisions flow from the top down.

Synonyms: ranked, tiered, stratified

Collocations: hierarchical structure, hierarchical system, strictly hierarchical

Favouring or enforcing strict obedience to authority, often at the expense of personal freedom or democratic participation.

Word family: authoritarianism (n.)

Example: The authoritarian regime controlled the media and suppressed any form of public protest.

Synonyms: dictatorial, controlling, oppressive

Collocations: authoritarian regime, authoritarian rule, authoritarian approach

Conforming to established rules, laws, or principles; having a valid and recognised basis for authority or existence.

Word family: legitimacy (n.), legitimately (adv.)

Example: Protesters argued that the election results did not reflect a legitimate outcome due to widespread irregularities.

Synonyms: lawful, valid, recognised

Collocations: legitimate authority, legitimate concern, legitimate power

An idea, belief, or concept about something, often one that is widely held but not necessarily proven.

Word family: notional (adj.)

Example: The notion that success depends only on individual effort overlooks the role of systemic advantage.

Synonyms: idea, belief, concept

Collocations: the notion that, challenge a notion, common notion

A system of ideas, values, and beliefs that shapes the way a person or group sees the world, especially in political or social contexts.

Word Breakdown: -ology (suffix meaning ‘the study or system of’)

Word family: ideological (adj.), ideologically (adv.)

Example: The political party’s ideology shaped every policy decision it made during its time in government.

Synonyms: belief system, worldview, doctrine

Collocations: political ideology, dominant ideology, ideological position

Having the most power, influence, or authority in a situation; most common, prevalent, or noticeable.

Word family: dominate (v.), dominance (n.)

Example: The dominant view in the media was challenged by a growing number of community voices.

Synonyms: leading, prevailing, powerful

Collocations: dominant view, dominant culture, dominant narrative

A particular way of thinking about or understanding something, shaped by one’s experience, position, or values.

Word Breakdown: per- (prefix meaning ‘through’)

Word family: perspectival (adj.)

Example: Considering the perspectives of all stakeholders is essential to understanding a complex issue fairly.

Synonyms: viewpoint, standpoint, angle

Collocations: from a perspective, offer a perspective, consider a perspective

To question, dispute, or confront something, especially an accepted idea, authority, or position.

Word family: challenger (n.), challenging (adj.)

Example: The student challenged the assumption that obedience to authority always leads to positive outcomes.

Synonyms: question, dispute, contest

Collocations: challenge an assumption, challenge authority, challenge the idea

In a way that is especially worthy of attention; particularly or significantly.

Example: Several studies, notably those conducted in the 1990s, challenged the prevailing view on this issue.

Synonyms: particularly, especially, significantly

Collocations: most notably, notably absent, notably different