po·tent
ˈpō-tᵊnt 
1
: having or wielding force, authority, or influence : powerful
2
: achieving or bringing about a particular result : effective
3
a
: chemically or medicinally effective
a potent vaccine
b
: rich in a characteristic constituent
a potent drink
4
: able to copulate
—usually used of the male
potently
adverb
of a heraldic cross
: having flat bars across the ends of the arms see cross illustration
Examples of potent in a Sentence
Adjective (1)
a potent tea that is the perfect morning pick-me-up
a potent argument for expanding our program of space exploration
potent medicine that can be obtained through a doctor's prescription
Recent Examples on the Web
Mary Ann Gwinn, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2025
Fentanyl — a potent and deadly opioid laced into seven out of 10 pills seized by officers — wasn’t out on the street.
—Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 8 May 2025
Which is also why anybody can find potent meaning in Conclave.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 8 May 2025
Indiana’s depth proved similarly potent in last year’s second-round series victory over the Knicks, who endured injury after injury during that seven-game bout.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for potent
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.
Adjective
Fans from America to Europe to Australia bought his books and flocked to his one-man shows, and his potent doses of humor and hard truth enthralled both the highborn and the humble.
—Mary Ann Gwinn, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2025
Fentanyl — a potent and deadly opioid laced into seven out of 10 pills seized by officers — wasn’t out on the street.
—Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 8 May 2025
Which is also why anybody can find potent meaning in Conclave.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 8 May 2025
Indiana’s depth proved similarly potent in last year’s second-round series victory over the Knicks, who endured injury after injury during that seven-game bout.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for potent
Cite this Entry
“Potent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/potent. Accessed 13 May. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
potent
adjective
po·tent
ˈpōt-ᵊnt
1
: having force or power
2
: chemically or medicinally effective
a potent vaccine
3
: able to copulate
—usually used of the male
potently
adverb
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share