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
of a heraldic cross
: having flat bars across the ends of the arms see cross illustration
Synonyms
Examples of potent in a Sentence
Adjective (1)
a potent tea that is the perfect morning pick-me-up
a potent argument for expanding our program of space exploration
potent medicine that can be obtained through a doctor's prescription
Recent Examples on the Web
Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
Oil revenues represent a potent choke point over the Russian economy, and Trump has grasped the strength of this leverage in a way the Biden Administration did not.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld and Steven Tian, TIME, 21 Jan. 2025
Packed with potent ingredients like isopropyl cloprostenate, amino acids, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E, this formula nurtures and enhances your brows from the root.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 21 Jan. 2025
These sorts of events are a potent reminder of the pecking order for members of Congress.
—Riley Beggin, USA TODAY, 20 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for potent 
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Adjective
Adding Conforto to the outfield mix gives the Dodgers another potent bat.
fangraphs.com lists Conforto as the starting left fielder, hitting 7th in the Dodgers lineup.
—Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
Oil revenues represent a potent choke point over the Russian economy, and Trump has grasped the strength of this leverage in a way the Biden Administration did not.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld and Steven Tian, TIME, 21 Jan. 2025
Packed with potent ingredients like isopropyl cloprostenate, amino acids, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E, this formula nurtures and enhances your brows from the root.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 21 Jan. 2025
These sorts of events are a potent reminder of the pecking order for members of Congress.
—Riley Beggin, USA TODAY, 20 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for potent
Dictionary Entries Near potent
Cite this Entry
“Potent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/potent. Accessed 24 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical 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
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