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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Recent Examples of potentate
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
The cover of the first issue of The New Yorker, dated Feb. 21, 1925, carried no portraits of potentates or tycoons, no headlines, no come-ons.
—Christopher B. Daly, The Conversation, 11 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for potentate
Matthew Carey, Deadline, 5 May 2025
The cover of the first issue of The New Yorker, dated Feb. 21, 1925, carried no portraits of potentates or tycoons, no headlines, no come-ons.
—Christopher B. Daly, The Conversation, 11 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for potentate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for potentate
Noun
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The visit was already a diplomatic test for the prince, involving a meeting with the crown prince and de facto Saudi ruler, Mohammed bin Salman (MBS).—
Max Foster,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
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Having become the sole ruler of Rome, Caesar continued to use the same strengths that had brought him success before.—
Paul Vanderbroeck,
Big Think,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The Joyce Carter Butterfly Garden alone hosts 32 species, including giant swallowtails, monarchs, buckeyes, spicebush, cabbage whites, cloudless sulfurs, and black swallowtails.—
Carrie Honaker,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Feb. 2026
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Last week, the British monarch forced his brother to vacate his longtime home at Royal Lodge near Windsor Castle.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Barrows manages the future sovereign's schedule, and accompanies her to the various appointments she is called upon to attend.—
Laura Scafati,
Vanity Fair,
31 Jan. 2026
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Calvin’s commentary emphasized clemency not only as a rational posture for a sovereign to adopt, but as a heroic virtue that is the essence of our common humanity.—
Bernadette Meyler,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Potentate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/potentate. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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