as in influential
having great power or influence
a powerful producer in the music business who is considered responsible for the careers of several superstars
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Try This Instead
Try This InsteadFor
Try This
powerful groups
a powerful argument
a compelling argument
an influential argument
a convincing argument
an effective argument
a forceful argument
a powerful incentive
a potent incentive
a compelling incentive
a strong incentive
an effective incentive
a valuable incentive
a powerful weapon
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 powerful
Francis brought Prevost to the Vatican in 2023 to head of the Vatican’s powerful Dicastery for Bishops, which vets bishop nominations around the world and is one of the most important jobs in church governance.
—
Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2025
Digital assessments can be powerful assets in online learning.
—Ascend Agency, Baltimore Sun, 9 May 2025
The powerful currents of flash floods can carry drivers off the road.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 9 May 2025
The death toll from a powerful explosion at Iran's biggest port of Bandar Abbas has risen to at least 40, with more than 1,200 people injured, state media reported on Sunday, as firefighters blast worked to fully extinguish the fire.
—USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for powerful
Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2025
Digital assessments can be powerful assets in online learning.
—Ascend Agency, Baltimore Sun, 9 May 2025
The powerful currents of flash floods can carry drivers off the road.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 9 May 2025
The death toll from a powerful explosion at Iran's biggest port of Bandar Abbas has risen to at least 40, with more than 1,200 people injured, state media reported on Sunday, as firefighters blast worked to fully extinguish the fire.
—USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for powerful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for powerful
Adjective
-
The Liverpool academy graduate, then 24, had spoken publicly about his desire to one day captain his boyhood club and had become an increasingly influential and vocal presence in the dressing room.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
10 May 2025
-
In the Spanish-speaking world, leading conservative and free-market figures remain more influential on social media than think tanks.—
Alejandro Antonio Chafuen,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2025
Adjective
-
While reports differ as to whether costs are rising or falling in recent years, college tuition is still a significant expense, even with financial aid and scholarships.—
True Tamplin,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2025
-
The construction is intended to stymie the spread of invasive carp, which could pose a significant threat to the Great Lakes region’s native species, ecosystems and billion-dollar fishing and boating industries.—
Olivia Olander,
Chicago Tribune,
10 May 2025
Adjective
-
This results in a charge imbalance that builds up an electric field strong enough to trigger flashes of lightning.—
National Geographic,
National Geographic,
13 Jan. 2023
-
According to research from Everytown for Gun Safety, a nonprofit that advocates for gun control, strong gun control laws are correlated with fewer gun deaths.—
Elliot Hughes,
Journal Sentinel,
13 Jan. 2023
Adjective
-
That’s another important component of the foreclosures First Street tracked: areas where home prices are rising tend to avoid falling into distress.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
20 May 2025
-
Climate has therefore become an increasingly important consideration in assessing credit score risk, right along with a consumer's debt, income and collateral in the home, according to a new report from First Street, a climate risk assessment firm.—
Diana Olick,
CNBC,
19 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Powerful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/powerful. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share