great power

noun

variants often Great Power
Synonyms of great powernext
: one of the nations that figure most decisively in international affairs : superpower

Examples of great power in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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But more recently, great powers have begun using economic integration as weapons, tariffs as leverage, financial infrastructure as coercion, supply chains as vulnerabilities to be exploited. Haley Ott, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026 Perhaps more extraordinary than America’s ability and willingness to play the dominant role was the readiness of most other great powers to embrace and legitimize its dominance—even at the expense of their own potency. Robert Kagan, The Atlantic, 18 Jan. 2026 This might include a regional or world war, or the implosion of a great power – in this case, Russia. Peter Harris, The Conversation, 12 Jan. 2026 Washington’s neutrality preserved the republic’s future, enabling economic expansion under the funding system Hamilton designed, territorial growth through the Louisiana Purchase and beyond, and eventual emergence as a great power capable of tipping global balances. Daniel Ross Goodman, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for great power

Word History

First Known Use

1660, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of great power was in 1660

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Cite this Entry

“Great power.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/great%20power. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.

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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