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
In today's environment, preventing burnout is a leadership superpower.
—Laurie Shakur, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Now, European soccer is joining America’s superpower sports in attempting to host fixtures beyond its native shores.
—Patrick Sung, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2025
While the state invokes a historic cooperation between the two nations, Ukraine and Europe have urged both superpowers to include Kyiv in any discussions to end the war.
—Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 12 Aug. 2025
Russia is maybe a former superpower, but a power, and it’s got nuclear arms and it’s got a big army.
—Donald Heflin, The Conversation, 11 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for superpower
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Laurie Shakur, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Now, European soccer is joining America’s superpower sports in attempting to host fixtures beyond its native shores.
—Patrick Sung, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2025
While the state invokes a historic cooperation between the two nations, Ukraine and Europe have urged both superpowers to include Kyiv in any discussions to end the war.
—Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 12 Aug. 2025
Russia is maybe a former superpower, but a power, and it’s got nuclear arms and it’s got a big army.
—Donald Heflin, The Conversation, 11 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 21 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
superpower
noun
su·per·pow·er
ˈsü-pər-ˌpau̇(-ə)r
: an extremely powerful nation
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