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
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Example Sentences
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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
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Finally, some inscriptions seem to indicate strong alliances or diplomatic ties with other Mayan rulers, a critical detail given that Cobá was a major urban center for centuries.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Oct. 2025
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Plus, with the new win, Yankee ties Bad Bunny with 29 rulers, the fourth-most following J Balvin (39), Ozuna (36) and Enrique Iglesias (32).—
Pamela Bustios,
Billboard,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Sandringham has been the private home of five generations of British monarchs for over 150 years.—
Marni Rose McFall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
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As part of Columbus’s mission, the monarchs urged him to convert indigenous peoples to Christianity, search for more gold, and develop trading relations.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
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For centuries, artists fought censors and kings.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Oct. 2025
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Dinosaurs were flourishing, not foundering, as kings of the Cretaceous right up until the end, according to the new study.—
DINO GRANDONI THE WASHINGTON POST,
Arkansas Online,
26 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Potentates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/potentates. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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