powermove
Bold strategic maneuver
A powermove is a bold, strategic action meant to assert dominance or gain advantage—often with a performative edge: Showing up late to your own meeting is such a powermove.
The term comes from breakdancing, where powermoves are acrobatic spins requiring strength and skill.
In everyday use, it describes confident gestures that signal control, whether genuine or ironic: She quit by email and cc'd the whole company—absolute powermove.
First Greek letter
- supremacyHighest rank or power
- assertionConfident statement of fact
- controlAuthority to direct
- one-upmanshipQuest to surpass others
ascendancy · throne · reign · subjugation · hegemony · command · monopoly · takeover
Risky opening for advantage
- maneuverDeliberate tactical movement
- chessStrategic board game
- ployCalculated deceptive tactic
- tacticsMethods to achieve goals
calculation · foresight · leverage · positioning · checkmate · outmaneuver · countermove · masterstroke
Borrowed capital for amplified returns
- cloutInformal power or punch
- swayRock back and forth
- persuasionConvincing through reasoning
- networkingBuilding professional relationships
alliance · endorsement · coalition · lobbying · credibility · charisma · negotiation · rhetoric
Courageous and daring
- decisiveQuick to conclude
- confidenceSelf-assurance or trust
- commandingExerting strong authority
- authoritativeHaving recognized expertise
self-assured · audacious · forthright · proactive · conviction · determination · resolute · emphatic
Conveying threat or danger
- threateningExpressing intent to harm
- bullyingAggressive repeated intimidation
- pressureForce upon contact
- aggressionHostile or attacking behavior
overbearing · coercion · deterrence · heavy-handed · forceful · staredown · confrontation · showdown
alpha
First Greek letter
one-upmanship · ascendancy · throne · reign · subjugation · hegemony · command · monopoly · takeover · coup
gambit
Risky opening for advantage
tactics · calculation · foresight · leverage · positioning · checkmate · outmaneuver · countermove · masterstroke · bluff
leverage
Borrowed capital for amplified returns
- cloutInformal power or punch
- swayRock back and forth
- persuasionConvincing through reasoning
networking · alliance · endorsement · coalition · lobbying · credibility · charisma · negotiation · rhetoric · pull
bold
Courageous and daring
- decisiveQuick to conclude
- confidenceSelf-assurance or trust
- commandingExerting strong authority
authoritative · self-assured · audacious · forthright · proactive · conviction · determination · resolute · emphatic · unwavering
menacing
Conveying threat or danger
- threateningExpressing intent to harm
- bullyingAggressive repeated intimidation
- pressureForce upon contact
aggression · overbearing · coercion · deterrence · heavy-handed · forceful · staredown · confrontation · showdown · ultimatum
powermovesubmission
Yielding to another's will
deference · capitulation · backing down · yielding · kowtowing
powermovehesitation
Delay from uncertainty
half-measure · playing it safe · hedging · second-guessing · indecision
powermovequiet retreat
Secluded place for rest
graceful exit · soft landing · keeping a low profile · saving face
move, power, powerful, movement, empower, movable, powerless, powerfully, horsepower