as in ruler
one who rules over a people with a sole, supreme, and usually hereditary authority
Charles inherited the position of potentate of the Holy Roman Empire from his grandfather, as well that of king of Spain from his father
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of potentate
This must remain a country that rejects princes or potentates.
—
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 9 Jan. 2024
Maybe bringing in the charity will boost the power of a local potentate.
—Leif Wenar, WIRED, 27 Mar. 2024
In early-modern Europe, the Medicis and other potentates created what were the microfinance schemes of their time, lending small sums of money to poor citizens.
—Mark Malloch-Brown, Foreign Affairs, 15 Jan. 2024
This must remain a country that rejects princes or potentates.
—Washington Examiner, 21 Nov. 2023
See All Example Sentences for potentate
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 9 Jan. 2024
Maybe bringing in the charity will boost the power of a local potentate.
—Leif Wenar, WIRED, 27 Mar. 2024
In early-modern Europe, the Medicis and other potentates created what were the microfinance schemes of their time, lending small sums of money to poor citizens.
—Mark Malloch-Brown, Foreign Affairs, 15 Jan. 2024
This must remain a country that rejects princes or potentates.
—Washington Examiner, 21 Nov. 2023
See All Example Sentences for potentate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for potentate
Noun
-
The dynastic rulers in the French House of Bourbon, unlike the rulers in Britain, did not cede power voluntarily; Robespierre and the Jacobins took it from them violently in the French Revolution.—
Robert D. Atkinson,
National Review,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Huge Tomb of Unknown Pharaoh Found: The burial chamber in Egypt most likely belonged to a ruler in a line of kings once lost to history, researchers said.—
Noriko Hayashi,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
According to People magazine, the visit is part of the monarch’s efforts to strengthen the U.K.’s relationship with key European allies.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
8 Apr. 2025
-
Such an ungainly orthography must be the fancy of some mad monarch in Britain’s history, right?—
Big Think,
Big Think,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Since the 15th century, the number of recipients has been related to the years of the sovereign’s life.—
Simon Perry,
People.com,
17 Apr. 2025
-
The sovereign has no governmental power in the U.K. or influence on RAVEC.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon,
FOXNews.com,
11 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Potentate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/potentate. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share