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
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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The mysteries of Cleopatra’s death Despite her short life of just 39 years, Cleopatra made an impact on the ancient world as one of a handful of female rulers and the last pharaoh of Egypt.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
26 Sep. 2025
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King Arthur Caroussel, named for the legendary ruler of Britain, would be the perfect ride for the fifth in line to the British throne.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
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William, 43, has been supportive of his father following Buckingham Palace’s announcement in Febuary 2024 that the monarch was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
1 Oct. 2025
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Princess Elisabeth is set to make history as Belgium’s first queen regnant, the country’s first reigning female monarch.—
Stephanie Petit,
PEOPLE,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Following the meeting, Buckingham Palace confirmed that the sovereign had a private tea at Clarence House, his London home, with the Duke of Sussex and said no additional details would be shared.—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
18 Sep. 2025
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Eighty soldiers from the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment rode alongside the carriages as part of the sovereign’s escort.—
Chantal Da Silva,
NBC news,
17 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Potentate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/potentate. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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