power-trip
Ego-fueled control
A power-trip is an episode of exercising authority for its own satisfaction rather than any legitimate purpose.
Someone on a power-trip revels in control over others: The security guard was on a total power-trip, making everyone empty their bags.
The verb power-trip means to behave this way: Stop power-tripping and just let us in.
Excessive self-importance
- narcissismExcessive admiration of oneself
- egotismInflated sense of self-importance
- self-importanceExaggerated sense of significance
- hubrisRuinous excessive confidence
pomposity · grandiosity · self-aggrandizement · smugness · swagger · conceit · vanity · boastfulness
Aggressive repeated intimidation
- domineeringAggressively asserting control
- tyrannyOppressive, absolute governance
- oppressionUnjust exercise of power
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
harassment · coercion · exploitation · overbearing · cruelty · heavy-handedness · brutality · despotism
Crafty and calculating
- maneuveringSkillful directional control
- machinationCrafty scheming, often hostile
- gaslightingManipulation causing self-doubt
- underminingWeakening by covert means
outmaneuvering · engineering · orchestrating · leveraging · exploiting · calculating · conniving · backstabbing
Excessive control over details
- dictatingSpeaking for recording
- domineeringAggressively asserting control
- overridingOf chief importance
- overrulingNullifying by superior power
gatekeeping · withholding · stonewalling · veto · ultimatum · decree · unilateral · stranglehold
Relating to placement
- hierarchicalOrganized by rank
- jurisdictionLegal authority's scope
- bureaucraticExcessively procedural
- officiousIntrusively asserting authority
tin-pot · jobsworth · rubber-stamping · seniority · territorial
arrogance
Excessive self-importance
- narcissismExcessive admiration of oneself
- egotismInflated sense of self-importance
- self-importanceExaggerated sense of significance
hubris · pomposity · grandiosity · self-aggrandizement · smugness · swagger · conceit · vanity · boastfulness · haughtiness
bullying
Aggressive repeated intimidation
- domineeringAggressively asserting control
- tyrannyOppressive, absolute governance
- oppressionUnjust exercise of power
intimidation · harassment · coercion · exploitation · overbearing · cruelty · heavy-handedness · brutality · despotism · belittling
scheming
Crafty and calculating
- maneuveringSkillful directional control
- machinationCrafty scheming, often hostile
- gaslightingManipulation causing self-doubt
undermining · outmaneuvering · engineering · orchestrating · leveraging · exploiting · calculating · conniving · backstabbing · underhanded
micromanaging
Excessive control over details
- dictatingSpeaking for recording
- domineeringAggressively asserting control
- overridingOf chief importance
overruling · gatekeeping · withholding · stonewalling · veto · ultimatum · decree · unilateral · stranglehold · chokehold
positional
Relating to placement
- hierarchicalOrganized by rank
- jurisdictionLegal authority's scope
- bureaucraticExcessively procedural
officious · tin-pot · jobsworth · rubber-stamping · seniority · territorial
power-tripservant leadership
Leading through service first
humility · self-effacement · modesty · empowerment · graciousness
power-tripego death
Total loss of identity
letting go · surrender · powerlessness · submissiveness · vulnerability
power-tripgroundedness
State of being anchored
equanimity · contentment · inner peace · self-awareness · emotional security
power, trip, powers, powered, powering, powerful, powerfully, powerless, powerlessness