powerful

adjective

pow·​er·​ful ˈpau̇(-ə)r-fəl 

1

: having great power, prestige, or influence

a powerful leader

2

: leading to many or important deductions

a powerful set of postulates

Synonyms

• influential
• significant
• strong
• important

Examples of powerful in a Sentence

The country is becoming more and more powerful.

powerful drugs that attack cancer cells

The cash bonus provides a powerful incentive to workers.

The perfume has a powerful smell.

It's a very powerful movie.

The dog has a powerful body.

She has a powerful voice.

The weapons are very powerful.

The aardvark uses its powerful claws to dig for food.

Recent Examples on the Web

One of the most powerful moments of the night was the Waiting to Exhale tribute, beautifully curated by Adam Blackstone. —Essence, 10 July 2025

It’s marketed as being 29% more powerful than other fans of its size by cooling 380 cubic feet per minute (CFM)—and Baker does not disagree. —Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 9 July 2025

Haiti’s most powerful gang coalition and another criminal armed group operating in the country’s breadbasket have been added to a United Nations global sanctions list. —Jacqueline Charles july 9, Miami Herald, 9 July 2025

The powerful currents of flash floods can carry drivers off the road. —Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 9 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing powerful

• all-powerful

Kids Definition

powerful

adjective

pow·​er·​ful ˈpau̇(-ə)r-fəl 

: full of or having power or influence : strong, effective

powerfully

-f(ə-)lē 

adverb