potentiate

verb

po·ten·ti·ate pə-ˈten(t)-shē-ˌāt

potentiated; potentiating

transitive verb

: to make effective or active or more effective or more active

also : to augment the activity of (something, such as a drug) synergistically

potentiation

pə-ˌten(t)-shē-ˈā-shən

noun

potentiator

pə-ˈten(t)-shē-ˌā-tər

noun

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Kratom may also potentiate the effects of alcohol and other sedatives. —

Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 10 Oct. 2022 Cornejo said this would undoubtedly be a factor that would potentiate a possible defeat for Sinema at the polls. —

Javier Arce, The Arizona Republic, 10 Feb. 2022 When left untreated, mental illness can potentiate physical conditions like heart disease, resulting in even more expensive treatment needs. —

Liat Jarkon, Fortune, 6 Feb. 2020 Thus understood, Fascism is totalitarian, and the Fascist State — a synthesis and a unit inclusive of all values — interprets, develops, and potentiates the whole life of a people. —

Joseph Loconte, National Review, 25 June 2019 Head counters will quickly grasp that with the addition of Evan, the group constitutes two subsets of five members, representing the insidious number that potentiates the Hisji, whose curse is particularly diabolical and deadly. —

Justin Lowe, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 June 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'potentiate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.