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

The April 7 announcement by Anthropic — that its new Mythos model was far more powerful and thus far more dangerous than any previous AI tool — increasingly appears to be a pivotal moment in human history. —U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Apr. 2026

That suggests these animals weren’t just powerful, but also adaptable hunters. —Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 24 Apr. 2026

The powerful currents of flash floods can carry drivers off the road. —Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2026

This event highlights the powerful connection between the Mobil™ brand and the high-performance world of the VCARB Formula One™ team, bringing fans closer to the action than ever before. —Mobil™ Fuels, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 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