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

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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for potentate
Noun
  • 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
  • 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
  • Moments later, the monarch began to flap its wings and crawl onto Bendicksen’s hand.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • 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

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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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