great power
noun
often capitalized G&P
: one of the nations that figure most decisively in international affairs : superpower
Examples of great power in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Early-twentieth-century Japan—fresh off the economic and military successes of the Meiji era—was consumed by nationalistic fervor and public feelings of entitlement to equal rank with the great powers of the era.
—
Rohan Mukherjee, Foreign Affairs, 4 Apr. 2024
But remember, with great power comes great... need for reading the manual.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Butcher block countertop owners will reap the reward of being able to skip the cutting board occasionally, but with great power comes great responsibility.
—Katherine Owen, Southern Living, 27 Mar. 2024
And with great power comes great scrutiny – not least at the hands of the tabloid press.
—Amanda Davies, CNN, 21 Mar. 2024
Clashes between great powers are clashes of ideas and interests alike.
—Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024
None would have arrived, as Wilson did at Versailles in 1919, prepared to dictate terms to the great powers of Europe, or dispatched American soldiers to the snows of Russia in the hopes of affecting the course of the Russian Revolution.
—Dan McLaughlin, National Review, 6 Feb. 2024
From those early days, Mr. Xi signaled that a robust nuclear force was needed to mark China’s ascent as a great power.
—Chris Buckley, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2024
Over time the military’s focus has shifted to great power competition from adversaries such as China and Russia, and threats from Iran and North Korea.
—Lolita C. Baldor, The Christian Science Monitor, 28 Feb. 2024
Rohan Mukherjee, Foreign Affairs, 4 Apr. 2024
But remember, with great power comes great... need for reading the manual.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Butcher block countertop owners will reap the reward of being able to skip the cutting board occasionally, but with great power comes great responsibility.
—Katherine Owen, Southern Living, 27 Mar. 2024
And with great power comes great scrutiny – not least at the hands of the tabloid press.
—Amanda Davies, CNN, 21 Mar. 2024
Clashes between great powers are clashes of ideas and interests alike.
—Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024
None would have arrived, as Wilson did at Versailles in 1919, prepared to dictate terms to the great powers of Europe, or dispatched American soldiers to the snows of Russia in the hopes of affecting the course of the Russian Revolution.
—Dan McLaughlin, National Review, 6 Feb. 2024
From those early days, Mr. Xi signaled that a robust nuclear force was needed to mark China’s ascent as a great power.
—Chris Buckley, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2024
Over time the military’s focus has shifted to great power competition from adversaries such as China and Russia, and threats from Iran and North Korea.
—Lolita C. Baldor, The Christian Science Monitor, 28 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'great power.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1660, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near great power
Cite this Entry
“Great power.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/great%20power. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
great power
noun
: one of the nations that have the greatest influence, resources, and military strength in the world
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