as in powerful
having great power or influence
one of the nation's most respected and puissant advocates for the rights of minorities
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of puissant
The show is light on tech, but the accompanying images (video design by Stefano DeCarli) pour through as addendums to Felder’s puissant passion of Liszt’s Liebesträume or Beethoven’s Für Elise and land with great effect.
—
David John Chávez, Mercury News, 30 Jan. 2026
Coffee gave us the Enlightenment, and insurance, and the most puissant bop of summer 2024.
—Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 14 Oct. 2025
Quite the puissant power house—this wine includes aromas of lavender and cedar, rum, sultanas, treacle, black cherries, pine cones and orange rind, as well as tastes that include a raspberry flush and flavors of plums, cola, figs, cocoa and black pepper.
—Tom Mullen, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2021
David John Chávez, Mercury News, 30 Jan. 2026
Coffee gave us the Enlightenment, and insurance, and the most puissant bop of summer 2024.
—Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 14 Oct. 2025
Quite the puissant power house—this wine includes aromas of lavender and cedar, rum, sultanas, treacle, black cherries, pine cones and orange rind, as well as tastes that include a raspberry flush and flavors of plums, cola, figs, cocoa and black pepper.
—Tom Mullen, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puissant
Adjective
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But like the British wartime leader who also led his country’s fight against a bigger, more powerful enemy, Zelensky has made missteps along the way and his future looks increasingly uncertain as the war grinds on.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
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What a trigger warning presumes is that readers are entitled to be protected before the fact from the possibility of powerful emotion, an odd entitlement at best and one that is seldom afforded to any being in the course of the rest of life.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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In recognition of Black History Month and its century-long mission to highlight the contributions and impact of Black Americans, this year’s expo pays tribute to one of the most influential eras in Black commerce and economic empowerment.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
19 Feb. 2026
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Before the expansion of the 10 Freeway led to the demolition of numerous homes in West Adams, the suburb was home to several affluent and influential Black Angelenos.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Earlier this week, the UN Refugee agency said a significant number of residents had left Al-Hol camp, the other major detention camp in Syria, and that the Syrian government plans to relocate them.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
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The direct meeting with Grossi is a significant step after Iran suspended all cooperation with the IAEA following the 12-day war in June with Israel.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Puissant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puissant. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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