power grabs
Authoritarian takeover attempts
A power grab is an aggressive attempt to seize control or authority, typically in political or organizational contexts.
The term implies opportunism and often suggests the move is illegitimate or at least unseemly—someone exploiting circumstances rather than earning position through proper channels.
Critics called the emergency decree a blatant power grab.
The phrase carries negative connotations; people rarely describe their own actions this way but readily apply it to opponents.
- machinationsCrafty scheming toward goals
- backroom dealSecret unofficial agreement
- coupAbrupt seizure of power
- palace coupOverthrow by regime insiders
- usurpationWrongful seizure of power
autocracy · overthrow · seizure · annexation · hostile takeover · hostile bid · election fraud · ambition · despotism · regime change · union busting · putsch · authoritarianism · revolutions · appropriation · voter suppression · monopoly · corporate espionage
- office politicsoffice politics, backstabbing, favoritism, nepotism, politicking
- political dysfunctionmisrule, tyranny, authoritarianism, dictatorship, despotism
- cunningcunning, craftiness, crafty, guile, slyness
power grabsdemocratic elections
Voting by the populace
due process · electoral mandates · consent of the governed · inaugurations · coronations
power grabspower sharing
Distributing authority among groups
abdications · devolution · decentralization · relinquishments · resignations
power, grab, powers, grabs, powered, powering, powerful, powerless, powerfully