as in possibility
something that can develop or become actual
would like to see a colony on the moon as an actuality and not merely a potentiality
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 potentiality
On foot, there are no boundaries in the land, no divides, nothing but the past and the potentiality of the future.
—
Michael McColly, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2025
Each of these sentiments points to the rich, fertile space that exists at the margins—of the body, of language, of the photograph—while also emphasizing the creative potentialities of touch, the action that propels these often porous edges to meet.
—Jessica Simmons-Reid, Artforum, 1 June 2025
The time lapses don’t connect these scenes narratively so much as suggest the potentialities of a constantly warping persona.
—Armond White, National Review, 14 May 2025
In a striking parallel to the 1990s, epochal thinking about the potentialities of a high technology society has once again upended politics.
—Jacob Bruggeman & Casey Eilbert / Made By History, TIME, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for potentiality
Michael McColly, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2025
Each of these sentiments points to the rich, fertile space that exists at the margins—of the body, of language, of the photograph—while also emphasizing the creative potentialities of touch, the action that propels these often porous edges to meet.
—Jessica Simmons-Reid, Artforum, 1 June 2025
The time lapses don’t connect these scenes narratively so much as suggest the potentialities of a constantly warping persona.
—Armond White, National Review, 14 May 2025
In a striking parallel to the 1990s, epochal thinking about the potentialities of a high technology society has once again upended politics.
—Jacob Bruggeman & Casey Eilbert / Made By History, TIME, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for potentiality
Recent Examples of Synonyms for potentiality
Noun
-
The researchers calculated that 2002 XV93 has an atmosphere about 5 million to 10 million times thinner than Earth’s — and suspect two possibilities as to what created it.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
4 May 2026
-
Tavaris Jackson, 35, of Escanaba, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.—
Joseph Buczek,
CBS News,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
Children are seen as neither a treasure nor the future flag bearers of this country’s immense potential and responsibility.—
Randi Weingarten,
Fortune,
6 May 2026
-
Along with the launch of its chatbot for clinicians last month, OpenAI also published a wish list that the company described as a blueprint for unlocking AI’s potential to change the broader health care system.—
Brittany Trang,
STAT,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Potentiality.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/potentiality. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
