as in power
the ability to exert effort for the accomplishment of a task
the president pledged to put the full puissance of the nation into the war effort
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Recent Examples of puissance
The reboot arrives at the peak of reggaeton’s pop puissance, and rightfully incorporates a lot more of the genre and its offshoots — Latin trap included.
—
Washington Post, 26 Nov. 2021
Which of you has the puissance to short-term deep-six me?
—Henry Alford, The New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2021
The doctrine’s puissance lies in the separation of powers.
—Matt Ford, The New Republic, 14 Jan. 2020
Over the years, when French leaders have called for a Europe puissance (European power), this has often sounded suspiciously like code for French hegemonic ambitions.
—The Economist, 7 Nov. 2019
There was a time when Jupiter was the king of the gods, and any man who doubted his puissance was ipso facto a barbarian and an ignoramus.
—John E. McIntyre, baltimoresun.com, 29 Aug. 2017
Washington Post, 26 Nov. 2021
Which of you has the puissance to short-term deep-six me?
—Henry Alford, The New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2021
The doctrine’s puissance lies in the separation of powers.
—Matt Ford, The New Republic, 14 Jan. 2020
Over the years, when French leaders have called for a Europe puissance (European power), this has often sounded suspiciously like code for French hegemonic ambitions.
—The Economist, 7 Nov. 2019
There was a time when Jupiter was the king of the gods, and any man who doubted his puissance was ipso facto a barbarian and an ignoramus.
—John E. McIntyre, baltimoresun.com, 29 Aug. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puissance
Noun
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From Demna’s star-studded, dramatic first Gucci show to a bold Fendi debut from Maria Grazia Chiuri, with Uma Thurman and Monica Bellucci front row, and even a Madonna cameo at Dolce & Gabbana, this season in Milan packed plenty of celebrity power.—
Lucy Maguire,
Vogue,
2 Mar. 2026
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The central issue in Learning Resources--the authority of presidents to usurp congressional powers--would have never arisen, there would have been no court ruling or case to now discuss, if Republicans in Congress had defended their legislative authority from the outset.—
Bradley Gitz,
Arkansas Online,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The courage of our convictions and the strength to embody them.—
Taryn Luna,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
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These fibers combine electrical resistivity suitable for Joule heating with exceptional strength and relatively high thermal conductivity.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Those increases have translated to energy markets, with jet fuel being the most affected, potentially leading to a rise in ticket prices later in the year.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
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If you’re exhausted by life, you’re allowed to cancel plans — even fun ones — to restore your energy.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Puissance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puissance. Accessed 8 Mar. 2026.
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