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
-
Bedside power outlets and ceiling fans add to the convenience.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 May 2026
-
The Avs finally got on the board via their second power-play chance on a Nathan MacKinnon goal that had an Artturi Lehkonen vibe to it.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
The bird has long symbolized American values like strength, freedom and independence, said Kochersperger.—
Sarah Raza,
Chicago Tribune,
15 May 2026
-
American oak trees symbolize the enduring strength and resilience of our people and nation.—
Joseph Bonasia,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
The Sun came into the second half with a burst of energy sparked by back-to-back buckets from Miller.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
-
Osvald Søe, 20, Wilson Eisner, 24, and Kieran Sargeant, 22, have all contributed to a developmental foundation that gives Varas’ club energy, athleticism, upside, and, at times, understandable volatility.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Puissance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puissance. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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