1
as in rich
having an abundance of some characteristic quality (as flavor)
a potent tea that is the perfect morning pick-me-up
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in powerful
having great power or influence
a potent argument for expanding our program of space exploration
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in efficient
producing or capable of producing a desired result
potent medicine that can be obtained through a doctor's prescription
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of potent
Images of their deaths quickly became potent symbols of Christian suffering across global media and church networks.
—
Candace Lukasik, The Conversation, 27 Mar. 2026
Eastern Congo has been battered by decades of unrest as government forces fight more than 100 armed groups, the most potent being M23, often over access to its mineral riches.
—ABC News, 26 Mar. 2026
Some of the suits claim that anthropomorphic chatbots, while engaging with users as platonic and romantic companions, acted as potent suicide coaches, helping teenagers and adults alike write suicide notes and plan their deaths.
—Maggie Harrison Dupré, Futurism, 26 Mar. 2026
In America, the drug remains legal, though one of the compounds is believed to be 13 times more potent than morphine.
—Josh Kelly, Oklahoman, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for potent
Candace Lukasik, The Conversation, 27 Mar. 2026
Eastern Congo has been battered by decades of unrest as government forces fight more than 100 armed groups, the most potent being M23, often over access to its mineral riches.
—ABC News, 26 Mar. 2026
Some of the suits claim that anthropomorphic chatbots, while engaging with users as platonic and romantic companions, acted as potent suicide coaches, helping teenagers and adults alike write suicide notes and plan their deaths.
—Maggie Harrison Dupré, Futurism, 26 Mar. 2026
In America, the drug remains legal, though one of the compounds is believed to be 13 times more potent than morphine.
—Josh Kelly, Oklahoman, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for potent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for potent
Adjective
-
That night, Joost wanted to dine at a real restaurant like rich foreigners.—
Cassandra Neyenesch,
New Yorker,
29 Mar. 2026
-
The exempt areas include the Red Sea tourist resorts of Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh, Marsa Alam, as well as the antiquities-rich southern cities of Aswan and Luxor.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
By December of that year, the company—run by individuals with no evident track record in global sports management—had secured a powerful contract with the Argentine Football Association.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
-
But its offense was still plenty powerful enough to send Houston back to its nearby campus.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
An efficient Cabrera issued only one walk and quickly erased the lone hit — a Nolan Schanuel one-out single in the fourth — with a double play from the next hitter.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The style is refreshingly informal yet efficient, ensuring guests feel warm-and-fuzzy cared-for, without being overfussed.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The legislation has stalled amid strong pushback from critics.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Kodai Senga got the ball for the Mets and turned in a strong performance in his season debut.—
James O'Connell,
New York Daily News,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Some of the world’s wealthiest and most influential people remain deadset on leaving Earth behind for a new life in outer space.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Midfielder Lasse Berg Johnsen is already influential in orchestrating the offense.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
This one came after Delanie Sheehan penetrated the defense and zipped an effective pass to Ryan, who put the shot on net, but MacIver deflected it out of bounds.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Burkhalter and Warner’s new roles are also effective April 3.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Job growth is projected at a robust 10% by 2034.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
-
This year’s lineup though, is among the most robust it’s organized to date, with Post Malone, Twenty One Pilots and Zac Brown Band all listed as headliners, while Megan Moroney, Ravyn Lenae, Russell Dickerson and Dominic Fike are all on the bill as well.—
Ethan Millman,
HollywoodReporter,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Leon was seeking gender reassignment surgery, which come to play a significant role in the climax of the hostage crisis precipitated by his partner.—
Chris Jones,
New York Daily News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Leon is seeking gender confirmation surgery and his needs come to play a significant role in the climax of the hostage crisis precipitated by his partner.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Potent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/potent. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
