Thesaurus results for POTENTATE

potentate

noun

ˈpō-tᵊn-ˌtāt

Definition of potentate

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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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 The game is a playground for Russian oligarchs, Middle Eastern potentates, and Latin American strongmen—his people. — Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 7 Apr. 2026 Biden put this sentiment into action by working with Netanyahu despite serious moral and political failures in Gaza, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on NATO expansion, and with Gulf potentates on the region’s security architecture. — James Jeffrey, Foreign Affairs, 13 Nov. 2025 Why don’t all the rich potentates, sheiks, oligarchs and MAGA dictators meet and fix it? — Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2025 But in his mid-80s, King George ponders whether to abdicate and devote his remaining days to finding female companionship (the aging potentate remains potent with the help of Viagra and similar pharmaceuticals). — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 5 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for potentate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for potentate

Noun

If Pisces was rising on the horizon at your time of birth, your money sector is ruled by go-getter Mars, celestial ruler of the bold and fearless sign of Aries.

— Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 14 Aug. 2026
Following the death of the Maratha ruler Bajirao I in 1740, Balaji Bajirao (popularly called Nana Saheb) inherited a polity that had already established its influence in Malwa and Gujarat.

— Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of ruler

Noun

After the late monarch stopped wearing the tiara, it was loaned to Diana in 1981 as a wedding present.

— Francesca Gariano, PEOPLE, 11 Aug. 2026
Events plod forward, one after the other, and although Michael Shaeffer is a thoroughly compelling presence as the cruel and chronically unstable monarch Aerys, other performances seem nuance-free.

— Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of monarch

Noun

On 28 July, Moody’s changed its MENA outlook from stable to negative, noting that the impairment of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz will weigh on the growth of Gulf sovereigns, as well as their fiscal and external positions.

— Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2026
As one of the big three ratings agencies, alongside Fitch and Moody’s, S&P Global plays a crucial role in determining whether African sovereigns and businesses can secure capital from international financial markets.

— Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 29 July 2026

Definition of sovereign

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“Potentate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/potentate. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of potentate

noun

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