as in possibilities
something that can develop or become actual
a time when cloning was merely a potential and the stuff of science fiction
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Recent Examples of potentials
That’s no longer the case, and suddenly the possibilities for who wins this category are endless, with Taylor, Wicked’s Ariana Grande, and Sentimental Value’s Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas all feeling like potentials at this stage.
—
Joe Reid, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2025
Writing on future potentials for synthetic biology in 1912, none other than Stéphane Leduc — the scientist who, as previously mentioned, gave the field its name — made precisely this claim.
—Thomas Moynihan, Big Think, 15 Sep. 2025
However, the Environmental Protection Agency has been working to phase out products like Forane 134a to instead use items with reduced global warming potentials.
—Olivia Evans, The Courier-Journal, 26 Aug. 2025
But from the first eight months of the year, Warner Bros looks to be in the prime starting position with a couple of surprises from the horror genre — Sinners and Weapons — leading the pack of potentials, and Apple’s summer smash F1, for which Warner Bros is handling the theatrical release.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 22 Aug. 2025
This is possible because different elements have distinct formation potentials, allowing for their individual recovery in a high-purity metallic form.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 16 Aug. 2025
The Tigers should feel good about at least one of those starts in Minneapolis, as the final name on our 3,500-K potentials list is slated to open the series.
—Ryan Ford, Freep.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Joe Reid, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2025
Writing on future potentials for synthetic biology in 1912, none other than Stéphane Leduc — the scientist who, as previously mentioned, gave the field its name — made precisely this claim.
—Thomas Moynihan, Big Think, 15 Sep. 2025
However, the Environmental Protection Agency has been working to phase out products like Forane 134a to instead use items with reduced global warming potentials.
—Olivia Evans, The Courier-Journal, 26 Aug. 2025
But from the first eight months of the year, Warner Bros looks to be in the prime starting position with a couple of surprises from the horror genre — Sinners and Weapons — leading the pack of potentials, and Apple’s summer smash F1, for which Warner Bros is handling the theatrical release.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 22 Aug. 2025
This is possible because different elements have distinct formation potentials, allowing for their individual recovery in a high-purity metallic form.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 16 Aug. 2025
The Tigers should feel good about at least one of those starts in Minneapolis, as the final name on our 3,500-K potentials list is slated to open the series.
—Ryan Ford, Freep.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for potentials
Noun
-
The sophisticated sound work was not yet part of broadcast radio’s lingua franca, but my generation of producers were at least exposed to some of the possibilities inherent in the form.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
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About Pisen Founded in 2003, Pisen is a leading provider of power solutions, dedicated to designing innovative products that empower human connections, spark curiosity, and light up possibilities.—
Lyssanoel Frater,
USA Today,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
And where there is injustice and frustration, the potentialities for violence are greater.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
12 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Bugonia’s box-office performance is closer to the Kinds of Kindness side of things, though the film’s awards prospects seem better.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Rabin would understand that Israel has to make some concessions to Palestinians in order to enhance the prospects of a regional coalition.—
Dennis Ross,
The Atlantic,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Potentials.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/potentials. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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