potent

adjective

ˈpō-tᵊnt How to pronounce potent (audio)
Definition of potentnext
1
as in rich
having an abundance of some characteristic quality (as flavor) a potent tea that is the perfect morning pick-me-up

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in powerful
having great power or influence a potent argument for expanding our program of space exploration

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in efficient
producing or capable of producing a desired result potent medicine that can be obtained through a doctor's prescription

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of potent Windy conditions will start to pick up later Saturday afternoon after a potent cold front slices through the Mid-Atlantic and eastern North Carolina and brings a major cooldown and some rain. — Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026 But in France, that threat is even more potent because the country’s vibrant film community relies significantly on investments from broadcasters, as well as subsidies distributed by the National Film Board (CNC) to finance films. — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026 In addition, the Longhorns will tangle with other less potent defenses down the stretch. — Kirk Bohls, Houston Chronicle, 16 Oct. 2026 The senior led the Mules' potent offense to perfection in a 63-31 victory over the Panthers, and now he has been voted Express-News Athlete of the Week. — Jeffrey Perkins, San Antonio Express-News, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for potent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for potent
  1. rich
  2. powerful
  3. efficient
  4. strong
  5. influential
  6. effective
  7. robust
  8. significant
Adjective
  • Counties where richer arrivals or the departure of lower earners drove the improvement were set aside.
    — Amy L. Wong, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Kodal Minerals plans to expand its lithium business across West Africa, betting the gold-rich region can become a major supplier of the battery metal, Reuters reported.
    — Ruben Nyanguila, semafor.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of rich
Adjective
  • Netanyahu, who has close ties with politically powerful ultra-Orthodox parties, has resisted attempts to end the exemptions.
    — Josef Federman, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
  • And that includes his warning that TV news has been corrupted by the agendas of the powerful, wealthy billionaires who now control a large portion of the media.
    — Michael Schneider, Variety, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of powerful
Adjective
  • Electricity made every existing process a little more efficient, one machine at a time.
    — Stephen Messer, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The service Sprightly staff members are friendly, trilingual, and super-efficient, delivering six-course meals with impressive promptness.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of efficient
Adjective
  • Policymakers recognized that American companies needed a stronger reason to invest in innovation.
    — Rick Lazio, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Meta Platforms, which is pushing its Muse AI agent, lost 7% after reporting stronger revenue for the latest quarter than analysts expected, though its profit fell short.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of strong
Adjective
  • Just 3% of respondents expect electricity demand from AI to be lower than forecast; a majority see the technology as becoming more influential than innovations in renewable energy over the next decade.
    — Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The backstory One of a raft of Six Senses openings, the hotel is owned by the influential architect Jonathan Leitersdorf.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of influential
Adjective
  • Such a concentration of power could prevent the effective maintenance of checks and balances on policy decisions by institutions.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The effective ground game and fourth-down success helped Kansas run 86 plays to Baylor’s 66.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of effective
Adjective
  • The most robust evidence in the field is a study published in JAMA Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery in 2024, which looked at airflow during mouth occlusion in more than 50 patients.
    — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026
  • But Hayden said the Shuckers Union will have a pretty robust sparkling wine menu — one that isn’t just prosecco or just champagne, but the fun sparkling wines found around the world that usually fall in the middle of those two wines’ price points.
    — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of robust
Adjective
  • Summed up, this all provides the ship with significant firepower potential.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
  • In July, the west-to-east ride across the state passed through a significant stretch of the northeastern Iowa district Mitchell hopes to represent.
    — Washington Post, Washington Post, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of significant

Browse Nearby Words

potency
potent
potentate
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Cite this Entry

“Potent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/potent. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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