Definition of powerful
1 : having great power, prestige, or influence a powerful leader
2 : leading to many or important deductions a powerful set of postulates
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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 of powerful from the Web
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The Panama Papers scandal, which detailed offshore companies and other financial data of the rich and powerful, exposed Malta's energy minister and Muscat's chief of staff as having acquired a company in Panama.
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But inhaling powerful opioids can be deadly, so officers have a new tool to protect their four-legged partners: naloxone, a drug that has already been used for years to reverse overdoses in humans.
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At least 80 people were killed and more than 350 wounded Wednesday after a powerful truck bomb struck Kabul’s diplomatic quarter.
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Civilian cars with soldiers inside blocked all three entrances to the embassy and powerful lights were focused on it.
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Two bills in the House and one in the Senate attempt to resolve that issue, but each faces hurdles as the legislation touches many powerful lobbying interests, from casino operators to horse racetrack owners.
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Let one graduate transfer defensive back pull off a move from Alabama to Georgia, and the most powerful coach in college football is concerned about what's fair.
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Mr. Frelinghuysen, the chairman of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, wrote in blue ink.
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Humans have a tremendous capacity for love, but only slightly more powerful is our tendency toward violence, hate, and abuse.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'powerful'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
15th Century
First Known Use of powerful
15th century
POWERFUL Defined for English Language Learners
powerful
playDefinition of powerful for English Language Learners
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: having the ability to control or influence people or things
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: having a strong effect on someone or something
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: having or producing a lot of physical strength or force
POWERFUL Defined for Kids
powerful
playDefinition of powerful for Students
: full of or having power, strength, or influence powerful magnets a powerful speech
powerfully
\-fə-lē\ adverbLearn More about powerful
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for powerful Spanish Central: Translation of powerful Nglish: Translation of powerful for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of powerful for Arabic speakers
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