powerful

Compared meaning: having great strength or power (adjective).

比较义项：拥有强大的力量/权力（形容词）。

• powerful 本词

  The neutral, everyday word for having great strength, force, or influence; gradable in degree and used broadly for machines, people, countries, or emotions.

  这是表示力量强大、有影响力的中性常用词，可用程度副词修饰，程度可高可低，广泛用于机器、人、国家或情感等。

  The new engine is far more powerful than the old one.

  这台新引擎比旧的那台强大得多。

• mighty

  A more literary or emphatic word for great power or strength, often describing forces of nature, armies, or rulers; conveys awe and sounds more dramatic than powerful.

  这是较为文学化、语气更强烈的词，常用来描述自然力量、军队或统治者，带有敬畏感，听起来比 powerful 更有气势。

  The mighty Amazon carries more water than any river on Earth.

  雄伟的亚马逊河所携带的水量超过地球上任何一条河流。

• almighty

  Describes power that is complete and unlimited, not merely great; not gradable, and used almost exclusively for a supreme, godlike force, rarely for ordinary strong things.

  表示完全且无限的力量，而不仅仅是很强大；不可用程度副词修饰，几乎只用于至高无上、神一般的力量，很少用于普通强大的事物。

  Only an almighty god could have created the universe from nothing.

  只有全能的神才能从虚无中创造出宇宙。

All three mean great power. Powerful is neutral and everyday. Mighty is more literary, for nature, armies, or rulers. Almighty means total, unlimited power, almost only for a godlike force, not for ordinary things. Not compared: almighty as in 'an almighty mess'.

这三个词都表示“强大有力”，但语气和适用范围不同：powerful 是最常用的中性说法，mighty 更书面、更有气势，almighty 则强调“完全、无限”的力量，几乎只用于神或至高力量。这里不比较 almighty 在口语中作程度加强词的用法（如 an almighty mess，意为“极大的一团糟”）。

Compared meaning: having power or influence over others (adjective).

比较义项：对他人或局势有权势、影响力（形容词）。

• important

  Describes someone or something highly regarded or central in status, without necessarily implying real power, expertise, or control over others — milder than the rest.

  形容某人或某事物地位很高、备受重视，但不一定意味着真正拥有权力、专业能力或对他人的控制——语气比其余几个词更温和。

  Grandma was the most important person in our family, though she never sought power.

  奶奶是我们家里最重要的人，尽管她从未追求过权力。

• powerful 本词

  Emphasizes real strength or control that lets someone dominate situations or people, often through force, wealth, or position, regardless of whether others admire or trust them.

  强调真正的力量或控制力，使某人能够支配局势或他人，往往依靠武力、财富或地位，而不论他人是否敬佩或信任他们。

  The powerful drug lord controlled the entire city's underground economy.

  那个强大的毒枭掌控着整座城市的地下经济。

• influential

  Focuses on shaping other people's opinions, choices, or behavior over time, usually through ideas, reputation, or example rather than direct force.

  侧重于长期影响他人的观点、选择或行为，通常是通过思想、声望或榜样，而非直接的强制力。

  Her blog became so influential that celebrities started following her advice.

  她的博客变得非常有影响力，以至于名人们都开始听从她的建议。

• authoritative

  Describes a confident, expert manner or an official right to command that makes people trust, obey, or feel reassured; about credibility and legitimacy, not raw power.

  形容一种自信、专业的态度，或拥有正式的指挥权，使人信服、服从或感到安心；强调的是可信度和合法性，而不是纯粹的力量。

  The doctor sounded so authoritative that the nervous patient immediately calmed down.

  医生的语气非常权威，让紧张的病人立刻平静了下来。

Important, powerful, influential, and authoritative can all mean having power or influence, but the focus differs. Important means highly regarded, without real power. Powerful means real strength or control. Influential means shaping opinions over time, not by force. Authoritative means an expert, official manner.

这些词都可以形容某人或某事物对他人或局势具有权势或影响力，但侧重点和语气不同：important 侧重地位重要、受人重视；powerful 侧重实际的控制力和力量；influential 侧重对思想、决定或事件的影响；authoritative 侧重拥有正式权威或说话态度令人信服。这里不比较 important 表示「必要的、重要的」（如喝水很重要）等泛指重要性的用法。