superpower
noun
su·per·pow·er
ˈsü-pər-ˌpau̇(-ə)r 
1
: excessive or superior power
2
a
: an extremely powerful nation
specifically
: one of a very few dominant states in an era when the world is divided politically into these states and their satellites
b
: an international governing body able to enforce its will upon the most powerful states
c
: an extremely powerful company, organization, etc.
The retailer hoped to become a financial services superpower …—
Patricia Sellers
Patricia Sellers3
: a power or ability (such as the ability to become invisible or to fly) of the kind possessed by superheroes : a superhuman power
The Fantastic Four first appeared in November 1961, originating with four friends who journeyed to space to thwart the Russians from getting there first. They were overwhelmed by a menacing radiation cloud and their molecular structure was altered, giving each of them superpowers.—Laura Mattoon D'Amore
Laura Mattoon D'AmoreThe superpower I've always wished for is invisibility, and I chose my vocation accordingly. A novelist gets 140,000 words per one tiny author photo. That's a visibility ratio I can live with.—Barbara Kingsolver
Barbara KingsolverExamples of superpower in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
However, from her view on the other side of the year, Stephens can see how those feelings equipped her with a subtle superpower.
—Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Beijing’s top trade negotiator is reportedly headed to Washington this week as part of efforts to extend a tariff truce, but the superpowers’ standoff is already having a huge impact on global commerce and China’s own economy.
—Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Individuals can gain the superpowers once held by institutions.
—Ravi Kumar, Time, 25 Aug. 2025
The Greek gods, for instance, were not paragons of virtue but soap opera characters with divine superpowers.
—Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for superpower
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Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Beijing’s top trade negotiator is reportedly headed to Washington this week as part of efforts to extend a tariff truce, but the superpowers’ standoff is already having a huge impact on global commerce and China’s own economy.
—Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Individuals can gain the superpowers once held by institutions.
—Ravi Kumar, Time, 25 Aug. 2025
The Greek gods, for instance, were not paragons of virtue but soap opera characters with divine superpowers.
—Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for superpower
Cite this Entry
“Superpower.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/superpower. Accessed 5 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
superpower
noun
su·per·pow·er
ˈsü-pər-ˌpau̇(-ə)r
: an extremely powerful nation
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