Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

might makes right

/ˈmaɪ̯t meɪ̯ks ˈɹaɪ̯t/

Word Rarity Common

Frequency: Zipf frequency 5.17 in modern English

Syllables
might -makes right
IPA
/ˈmaɪ̯t meɪ̯ks ˈɹaɪ̯t/
31
Scrabble Score
15
Letters
2
Syllables
10
Unique Chars

Meaning

proverb

What is right or wrong is determined by power and strength; power justifies itself.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English might is right, first attested in the 14th century. The concept is expressed by various classical authors; a similar argument is notably attributed to Thrasymachus by Plato in the Republic 340a (in Paul Shorey’s translation, “the advantage of the stronger is just”).

Origin

Word Breakdown

Inflected Forms

might is right (alternative)

Phrases

argumentum ad baculum for my friends for my enemies the law history is written by the victors the strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must vae victis

Frequently Paired Words

argumentum ad baculum for my friends everything for my enemies the law history is written by the victors kratocracy kraterocracy

Rhymes With

right all right might night all-night white great white light quite new light fight site

Questions

How do you pronounce might makes right?
The recorded pronunciation is /ˈmaɪ̯t meɪ̯ks ˈɹaɪ̯t/.
What does might makes right mean?
What is right or wrong is determined by power and strength; power justifies itself.
Where does might makes right come from?
It is traced to Middle English. First known use: first attested in the 14th century.

How to pronounce might makes right

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “might makes right”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈmaɪ̯t meɪ̯ks ˈɹaɪ̯t/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
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