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
This often got me under the threshold again, and the motor kicked in to return PAS superpowers to my legs.
—New Atlas, 22 Oct. 2025
Learn about Outside Online's affiliate link policy Writer Kate Siber interviewed 50 biologists, researchers, educators, and advocates about the superpowers of animals.
—Kate Siber, Outside, 21 Oct. 2025
The roughly 220,000 barrels per day expected from that project won’t make Suriname a global energy superpower—but with a population of just 650,000, the impact of its oil windfall will be transformative.
—Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Oct. 2025
Heat, light, and moisture break down the natural oils in spices, which is kind of their superpower.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for superpower
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New Atlas, 22 Oct. 2025
Learn about Outside Online's affiliate link policy Writer Kate Siber interviewed 50 biologists, researchers, educators, and advocates about the superpowers of animals.
—Kate Siber, Outside, 21 Oct. 2025
The roughly 220,000 barrels per day expected from that project won’t make Suriname a global energy superpower—but with a population of just 650,000, the impact of its oil windfall will be transformative.
—Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Oct. 2025
Heat, light, and moisture break down the natural oils in spices, which is kind of their superpower.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 19 Oct. 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 25 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
superpower
noun
su·per·pow·er
ˈsü-pər-ˌpau̇(-ə)r
: an extremely powerful nation
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