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 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 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
  • Writers and rulers across Europe and the Americas have looked back to Virgil’s epic as a model for their own founding myths, in the construction of new nations, new colonies, new empires.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025
  • These include American Tanto, sheepfoot, serrated and saw blade options, as well as unconventional choices like a comb and can opener/ruler/wrench/seatbelt cutter single-piece multitool.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Though most monarchs live their entire lives in castles and palaces, the late queen was not born expecting to ascend to the throne.
    Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Queen Elizabeth, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, died in 2022 at age 96.
    Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Credit rating agencies are sharpening their focus on climate vulnerability, raising questions about whether sectors or sovereigns with large protection gaps could face higher borrowing costs.
    Felicia Jackson, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Princess Marie Caroline's grandfather, Prince Hans-Adam II is the sovereign, but her father, Prince Alois, 57, has acted as head of state since 2004.
    Janine Henni, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Potentate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/potentate. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

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