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 of powerful

• 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

For the country’s leadership, weakened militarily and more isolated than ever, inflicting economic suffering has become the most powerful weapon available. —Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2026

The country has seen the rise of powerful criminal organizations in its borders, along with international drug cartels from Mexico, Italy and Albania also operating in Ecuador. —Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026

The most powerful tornado was an EF-3 in Kankakee County. —Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026

Hydrocarbons, to be sure, remain powerful geopolitical levers. —Derek Chollet, semafor.com, 25 Mar. 2026

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