potent

1 of 2

adjective (1)

po·​tent ˈpō-tᵊnt 

1

: having or wielding force, authority, or influence : powerful

2

: achieving or bringing about a particular result : effective

3

a

: chemically or medicinally effective

a potent vaccine

b

: rich in a characteristic constituent

a potent drink

4

: able to copulate

—usually used of the male

potently adverb

potent

2 of 2

adjective (2)

of a heraldic cross

: having flat bars across the ends of the arms see cross illustration

Synonyms

Adjective (1)

• big
• concentrated
• full
• full-bodied
• heady
• lusty
• muscular
• plush
• rich
• robust
• strong

Examples of potent in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

For anyone who came of age in the late nineties and still recalls the moment in which grunge (fading) and pop-punk (ascendant) had a brief but potent sartorial collision, the look of the Guts tour, both onstage and off, will feel deeply familiar. —Amanda Petrusich, The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2024

Meanwhile, Southeast Asian meth fell to less than 15% of seizures of the drug, a highly addictive and potent stimulant. —Chris Lau, CNN, 11 Apr. 2024

While carbon dioxide is the most prevalent greenhouse gas in the atmosphere, methane is far more potent — nearly 30 times as effective as carbon dioxide at trapping heat, according to the EPA. —Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 9 Apr. 2024

Democrats lauded her victory as an example of how potent the issue will be in November, more than two years after the Supreme Court’s conservative majority overturned Roe v. Wade. —Maya King Micah Green, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2024

So does the brief, but potent, column by Andres Oppenheimer. —Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 5 Apr. 2024

The result is a gentle but potent antiaging combination that’s both brightening and skin-boosting, while delivering all the goodness retinol has to offer without any of the pesky dryness or irritation. —Danielle Cohen, Glamour, 3 Apr. 2024

For something even more potent, their 500mg Alleviate gel is perfect for aches and pains. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024

The majority of laws apply to K-12 campuses, where First Amendment protections are less potent as compared to the freedoms the courts have afforded to college and university professors. —Clara Ence Morse, Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective (1)

Middle English, from Latin potent-, potens (present participle of posse to be able), from Latin potis, pote able; akin to Goth brūthfaths bridegroom, Greek posis husband, Sanskrit pati master

Adjective (2)

obsolete English potent crutch

First Known Use

Adjective (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective (2)

circa 1586, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

potent

adjective

po·​tent

ˈpōt-ᵊnt

1

: having or wielding force, authority, or influence : powerful

potent arguments for a strong defense

2

a

: very effective

potent medicine

b

: rich in a particular quality : strong

potent tea

potently adverb

Medical Definition

potent

adjective

po·​tent ˈpōt-ᵊnt 

1

: having force or power

2

: chemically or medicinally effective

a potent vaccine

3

: able to copulate

—usually used of the male

potently adverb