superpower
noun
su·per·pow·er
ˈsü-pər-ˌpau̇(-ə)r 
1
: excessive or superior power
2
a
: an extremely powerful nation
specifically
: one of a very few dominant states in an era when the world is divided politically into these states and their satellites
b
: an international governing body able to enforce its will upon the most powerful states
c
: an extremely powerful company, organization, etc.
The retailer hoped to become a financial services superpower …—
Patricia Sellers
Patricia Sellers3
: a power or ability (such as the ability to become invisible or to fly) of the kind possessed by superheroes : a superhuman power
The Fantastic Four first appeared in November 1961, originating with four friends who journeyed to space to thwart the Russians from getting there first. They were overwhelmed by a menacing radiation cloud and their molecular structure was altered, giving each of them superpowers.—Laura Mattoon D'Amore
Laura Mattoon D'AmoreThe superpower I've always wished for is invisibility, and I chose my vocation accordingly. A novelist gets 140,000 words per one tiny author photo. That's a visibility ratio I can live with.—Barbara Kingsolver
Barbara KingsolverExamples of superpower in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Part of his superpower was his ability to inspire and to lead by example.
—Elizabeth Stanton, Fox News, 9 Mar. 2025
In Mickey 17, Bong Joon ho’s satirical angle on conglomerate superpowers manipulating scientific innovation and space exploration for their gain doesn’t seem too far off from the near future.
—Malik Peay, Essence, 7 Mar. 2025
Its swift resolution under pressure from Washington demonstrated the economic strength of the United States as a Cold War superpower.
—Nicholas Mulder, Foreign Affairs, 6 Mar. 2025
This was, to me, the superpower of Flack: her willingness not just to take you to a feeling but to first build a place to contain it.
—Hanif Abdurraqib, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for superpower
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Elizabeth Stanton, Fox News, 9 Mar. 2025
In Mickey 17, Bong Joon ho’s satirical angle on conglomerate superpowers manipulating scientific innovation and space exploration for their gain doesn’t seem too far off from the near future.
—Malik Peay, Essence, 7 Mar. 2025
Its swift resolution under pressure from Washington demonstrated the economic strength of the United States as a Cold War superpower.
—Nicholas Mulder, Foreign Affairs, 6 Mar. 2025
This was, to me, the superpower of Flack: her willingness not just to take you to a feeling but to first build a place to contain it.
—Hanif Abdurraqib, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for superpower
Cite this Entry
“Superpower.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/superpower. Accessed 19 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
superpower
noun
su·per·pow·er
ˈsü-pər-ˌpau̇(-ə)r
: an extremely powerful nation
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