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

Israel and the United States have been piling the pressure on Lebanon to disarm the powerful militant group. —NPR, 23 Nov. 2025

Electric motors have become cheaper and more powerful; digital sensors are faster and more reliable; and there have been downstream benefits to battery performance thanks to investment in electric cars and drones. —James Vincent, Harpers Magazine, 23 Nov. 2025

Now, at the Group of 20 summit in South Africa boycotted by the US — its most powerful member — Macron has put on his Cassandra-like hat again. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 23 Nov. 2025

Tuttle noted that easier access to powerful AI tools will not automatically raise artistic standards. —Udita Jhunjhunwala, Variety, 23 Nov. 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