as in rulers
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 potentates
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
Mark Malloch-Brown, Foreign Affairs, 15 Jan. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for potentates
Noun
-
In the 16th century, the Genoese Lomellini family secured a concession from the local rulers to harvest coral there.—
Miquel Ros,
CNN Money,
7 Oct. 2025
-
That run equals Drake’s longest streak of rulers on Rhythmic Airplay.—
Kevin Rutherford,
Billboard,
6 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
-
Remarkably, 12 European countries are still ruled by monarchs—nearly one-third the world’s total—many of them small nations like Denmark and Monaco.—
Vivienne Walt,
Time,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
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
Noun
-
Exactly what was Paine’s problem with kings?—
Matthew Redmond,
The Conversation,
9 Oct. 2025
-
With war looming and chaos consuming the kingdom — drawing in the ruthless kings of other Scandinavian countries and even a powerful English ruler — the stage is set for a thundering, cataclysmic, compelling and utterly magical new Norse Saga.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
6 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Potentates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/potentates. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share