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
Synonyms
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
Sean Evans, Robb Report, 18 July 2024
Officials and doctors across the state have recently pointed to a rise in young children who have been killed by fentanyl, an extremely potent and addictive synthetic opioid that is considered Los Angeles’ deadliest drug.
—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2024
The upper levels of OpenAI's classification describe increasingly potent hypothetical AI capabilities.
—Benj Edwards, Ars Technica, 12 July 2024
This potent solution targets dark circles, puffiness, and wrinkles with its powerful retinol formula.
—Claire Rutter, Rolling Stone, 11 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for potent 
Adjective
Overall style and visceral appeal are just as potent.
—Sean Evans, Robb Report, 18 July 2024
Officials and doctors across the state have recently pointed to a rise in young children who have been killed by fentanyl, an extremely potent and addictive synthetic opioid that is considered Los Angeles’ deadliest drug.
—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2024
The upper levels of OpenAI's classification describe increasingly potent hypothetical AI capabilities.
—Benj Edwards, Ars Technica, 12 July 2024
This potent solution targets dark circles, puffiness, and wrinkles with its powerful retinol formula.
—Claire Rutter, Rolling Stone, 11 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for potent
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'potent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near potent
Cite this Entry
“Potent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/potent. Accessed 26 Jul. 2024.
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
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