as in possible
existing only as a possibility and not in fact
I can see a few potential problems with co-owning a beach house with another couple
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in possibility
something that can develop or become actual
a time when cloning was merely a potential and the stuff of science fiction
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 potential
Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Warnock, who is often mentioned as a potential 2028 candidate for president, is one of the first Democrats to make this trip.
—Adam Beam, AJC.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Annie Blackman, InStyle, 28 Jan. 2026
Career-wise, Jupiter spends the first half of the year elevating your public image, reputation and leadership potential, making 2026 one of your most professionally visible years in over a decade.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for potential
Adjective
Naturally, Liverpool will be expected to get the job done at Anfield but there is potential for a surprise result.
—Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Warnock, who is often mentioned as a potential 2028 candidate for president, is one of the first Democrats to make this trip.
—Adam Beam, AJC.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
A bit oversized and flowy with endless layering potential, this top has already made its way into my cart.
—Annie Blackman, InStyle, 28 Jan. 2026
Career-wise, Jupiter spends the first half of the year elevating your public image, reputation and leadership potential, making 2026 one of your most professionally visible years in over a decade.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for potential
Recent Examples of Synonyms for potential
Adjective
-
With just one point out of a possible 10 during this home stand, this team now feels more akin to the one that spun nearly out of control in November and December.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Japan’s Finance Minister said the government will coordinate with the US on currency responses when necessary, as market participants grow increasingly wary of possible coordinated action between Washington and Tokyo.—
Erica Yokoyama,
Bloomberg,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In June 2023, OpenAI’s Sam Altman dismissed the possibility that a small team with $10 million could build a competitive large language model.—
Steven Wolfe Pereira,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The growing awareness that, even in mild COVID cases, the possibility exists for longer-term, often undetected organ damage also warrants more examination, researchers say.—
Stephanie Armour,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The Canes have another edge prospect in Akheem Mesidor, who led the ACC with 12 1/2 sacks and added 17 1/2 tackles for loss during Miami’s run to the national championship game.—
Joseph Person,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
-
The war is burdening the not only the current Russian economy but its future prospects, the report says.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Potential.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/potential. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
