as in ruler
one who rules over a people with a sole, supreme, and usually hereditary authority
Charles inherited the position of potentate of the Holy Roman Empire from his grandfather, as well that of king of Spain from his father
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of potentate
Or were all those billionaire potentates in the Capitol Rotunda — seated in front of Trump’s Cabinet picks — asserting their social, economic and cultural hegemony?
—
Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2025
This was a violin in full command of its considerable powers, a violin capable of enchanting the most powerful potentate in the land and persuading him to do its bidding.
—Mary Carole McCauley, Baltimore Sun, 24 June 2024
In early-modern Europe, the Medicis and other potentates created what were the microfinance schemes of their time, lending small sums of money to poor citizens.
—Mark Malloch-Brown, Foreign Affairs, 15 Jan. 2024
This must remain a country that rejects princes or potentates.
—Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 9 Jan. 2024
See All Example Sentences for potentate
Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2025
This was a violin in full command of its considerable powers, a violin capable of enchanting the most powerful potentate in the land and persuading him to do its bidding.
—Mary Carole McCauley, Baltimore Sun, 24 June 2024
In early-modern Europe, the Medicis and other potentates created what were the microfinance schemes of their time, lending small sums of money to poor citizens.
—Mark Malloch-Brown, Foreign Affairs, 15 Jan. 2024
This must remain a country that rejects princes or potentates.
—Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 9 Jan. 2024
See All Example Sentences for potentate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for potentate
Noun
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Rainbow Who is the ruler of the demons?—
Kara Nesvig,
Parents,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Series on Alexander the Great, the Egyptian ruler, Ramses, and the Vikings have all found new international homes during MIPCOM.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Under sponsorship by monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain, the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria began a new era of vast exploration of the world.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
13 Oct. 2025
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Moments later, the monarch began to flap its wings and crawl onto Bendicksen’s hand.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The Duke of York is the traditional title for the sovereign's second son, and the elite peerage has a rich royal history.—
Stephanie Petit,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
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Wall Street, institutions and even sovereigns are migrating infrastructure onto the blockchain and ETH is well positioned to capture value through various channels.—
Todd Gordon,
CNBC,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Potentate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/potentate. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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