potent

adjective

ˈpō-tᵊnt How to pronounce potent (audio)
Definition of potentnext
1
as in rich
having an abundance of some characteristic quality (as flavor) a potent tea that is the perfect morning pick-me-up

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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

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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 Temperatures will plummet to their lowest levels since spring for many east of the Rockies later this week as a potent cold front slices across the country. — Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026 Bill Plaschke writes the Dodgers’ three-peat dreams are dying in the face of the potent Milwaukee Brewers. — Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026 As with other potent opioids, some patients may require multiple doses of naloxone. — Mary Jane Gibson, Rolling Stone, 13 Oct. 2026 Kean was already given long odds of beating Bennett, who has won plaudits as a strong candidate and potent fundraiser. — Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 13 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for potent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for potent
  1. rich
  2. powerful
  3. efficient
  4. strong
  5. influential
  6. effective
  7. robust
  8. significant
Adjective
  • Chan Luu is hardly an emerging brand because of its rich history, but Tessa Tran, the niece of Chan Luu, bought back the family business in 2023 and has since revived the line as artistic director.
    — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • At least 84 people remained missing in one of the deadliest shipwrecks yet on the popular but perilous crossing from the Horn of Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, where many migrants seek work in rich Gulf nations.
    — JAMEY KEATEN, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of rich
Adjective
  • At Gucci, the iconic Horsebit takes center stage across bags, belts and shoes, transforming timeless house codes into powerful statement accessories.
    — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Simon has weakened to a Category 2 storm, its eye remaining just offshore as its most powerful winds and rain slammed communities between the Sierra Madre and the ocean and were forecast to persist off the coast of Puerto Vallarta.
    — JAIMIE DING, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of powerful
Adjective
  • Authorities in both countries were investigating the cyber incidents, which exposed vulnerabilities in some older refrigeration management systems and in the countries' highly efficient food supply chains.
    — JOHN LEICESTER, Arkansas Online, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Its security relies on the belief that there’s no efficient algorithm capable of reversing the mathematical operations at its core.
    — Chris Stokel-Walker, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of efficient
Adjective
  • But zest was one of just two strengths (the other is hope) that had the strongest relationship to mental well-being across countries and age groups.
    — Joan M. Cook, Time, 17 Oct. 2026
  • However, some safety advocates and Senator Maria Cantwell want a stronger federal review process.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of strong
Adjective
  • William Perkins, an influential proponent of witch fever in late sixteenth-century England, notes that any miraculous power a witch or her objects appears to have is merely borrowed from Satan.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The federal government is planning to dramatically shrink its most influential health survey, and some researchers worry that the changes will underestimate how many Americans are disabled.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of influential
Adjective
  • The fix can be effective for some tasks, analysts say, but uses significantly more electricity.
    — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Reducing losses can lower that effective fuel cost without requiring the hydrogen purchase price to decrease.
    — Josh McMorrow, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of effective
Adjective
  • Better still are the mountain views that surround the lake and the robust collection of wildlife that call this place home, from voles, shrews, and marmots to elk, black bears, and porcupines.
    — Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2026
  • The domestic consumer is discerning and the tourist component robust, too.
    — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of robust
Adjective
  • Sullivan and Peltola have already faced off this year, but Thursday's debate was widely seen as the most significant for the general electorate.
    — Matthew Choi The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
  • That reality makes the latest Carrera T more significant than its understated badge might suggest.
    — Bradley Iger, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of significant

Browse Nearby Words

potency
potent
potentate
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Cite this Entry

“Potent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/potent. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

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