French word

emprise

Pronunciation

IPA/ɑ̃pʁiz/

Meaning

  • feminine nouncontrol

Example

Il exerce une emprise sur son équipe.

He exerts control over his team.

Illustration for emprise (control)

More examples

L'entreprise a perdu son emprise sur le marché local.

The company lost its hold over the local market.

Core concept

A surrounding power that gradually takes hold of a person, group, idea, or situation.

Common phrases

  • exercer une emprise sur

    exert a hold over

  • perdre son emprise sur

    lose one's hold over

Similar words

influence: The power to gently change someone's thoughts or actions through words or manner.
contrôle: The power to oversee people or circumstances and keep them as desired.
autorité: The recognized power to give orders or express opinions based on position or experience.

Definition in French

Capacité ou fait pour une personne, une idée ou une situation de contrôler, dominer ou exercer une forte influence sur d'autres personnes ou événements.

Word origin

Emprise developed from Old French emprise, linked to emprendre and prendre, and its earlier sense of an undertaking or act of taking led to its modern sense of control.

Usage tips

  • The usual construction is exercer une emprise sur someone or something, with sur rather than de.

Other meanings

  • influencenoun
  • holdnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word