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

• 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

Potential personnel moves All eyes will also be on any personnel changes that could take place this week, including potential appointments to the powerful Central Military Commission, which oversees China’s 2 million-strong armed forces. —Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2025

Kyle Walters, a private equity analyst at PitchBook, said succession was a powerful domestic driver for deal flow. —Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 19 Oct. 2025

Sports history is filled with iconic names, but its most powerful stories are shaped by unsung heroes. —Peter Zaffino, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2025

Alex is a former prominent attorney from the Lowcountry region of South Carolina, along with his powerful Murdaugh family, who dominated the legal landscape in the southern part of the state for 100 years. —Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 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