Thesaurus results for POTENTATES

potentates

noun

plural of potentate

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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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 With 775 rooms, the palace also provides office space for the royal bureaucracy and hosts lavish state dinners for visiting presidents and potentates. — CBS News, 26 June 2026 Biden put this sentiment into action by working with Netanyahu despite serious moral and political failures in Gaza, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on NATO expansion, and with Gulf potentates on the region’s security architecture. — James Jeffrey, Foreign Affairs, 13 Nov. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for potentates

Noun

If a man is thought-free, fancy-free, imagination-free, that which is not never for a long time appearing to be to him, unwise rulers or reformers cannot fatally interrupt him.

— René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026
China's rulers did not find anything funny about Mbappe's interaction with the meme.

— Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of rulers

Noun

Founded in 1440, the prestigious institution is one of the most famous and selective schools in the United Kingdom, attended over the centuries by prime ministers, aristocrats, and future monarchs.

— Ilaria Perrotta, Vanity Fair, 27 Oct. 2026
The Japanese public has shown support for female monarchs, signaling a preference to keep the renowned family on the throne.

— Chad de Guzman, Time, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of monarchs

Noun

Ahead of their Hard Rock show, the two comedy kings did an interview with the South Florida Sun Sentinel — Short from Los Angeles, Martin from New York City — and here is more about the tour from that Q&A session.

— Rod Stafford Hagwood, Sun Sentinel, 2 Nov. 2026
Edmund is invoked on behalf of kings and victims of torture, during pandemics, and for protection against plague.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of kings

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potentate

potentates

potential

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“Potentates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/potentates. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of potentates

noun

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