potency

noun

po·​ten·​cy ˈpō-tᵊn(t)-sē How to pronounce potency (audio)
plural potencies
Synonyms of potencynext
1
a
: force, power
b
: the quality or state of being potent
c
: the ability or capacity to achieve or bring about a particular result
2
: potentiality sense 1

Synonyms of potency

Relevance
See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of potency in a Sentence

The potency of her words changed many minds in the audience that night. Any vitamin of high potency should only be taken in the proper dosage.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Ultra sells nicotine-free pouches that reach up to 180 mg caffeine per pouch, among the highest potency levels in the category. — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2026 But now that message has lost some of its potency, eclipsed by worries about a higher cost of living and deportations. — Claudia Grisales, NPR, 18 Oct. 2026 Producing the materials closer to domestic clinics will safeguard their potency. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026 My personal favorite is the Lamborghini Countach, a pairing of manufacturer and model name that has unparalleled phonetic potency. — Jason Barlow, Robb Report, 11 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for potency

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of potency was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

potence
potency
potent
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Potency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/potency. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

potency

noun
po·​ten·​cy ˈpōt-ᵊn-sē How to pronounce potency (audio)
plural potencies
: the quality or state of being potent
vitamins of high potency
especially : power to bring about a certain result

Medical Definition

potency

noun
po·​ten·​cy ˈpōt-ᵊn-sē How to pronounce potency (audio)
plural potencies
: the quality or state of being potent: as
a
: chemical or medicinal strength or efficacy
a drug's potency
b
: the ability to copulate
—usually used of the male
c
: initial inherent capacity for development of a particular kind
cells with a potency for eye formation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of milieu

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All