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
Examples 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
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
Though often fraught in the execution in the abstract the position of Jews within pre-modern political units was not controversial; Jews were subjects with obligations, often a useful minority for potentates.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 6 June 2010
The result was that Hollywood sold its gems as costume jewelry, not through mercenary cynicism but because the studio potentates were no more aware of the enduring art being produced under their aegis than were critics or, for that matter, viewers.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2023
See all Example Sentences for 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
Though often fraught in the execution in the abstract the position of Jews within pre-modern political units was not controversial; Jews were subjects with obligations, often a useful minority for potentates.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 6 June 2010
The result was that Hollywood sold its gems as costume jewelry, not through mercenary cynicism but because the studio potentates were no more aware of the enduring art being produced under their aegis than were critics or, for that matter, viewers.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2023
See all Example Sentences for potentate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for potentate
Noun
-
Iran’s rulers once claimed to offer an exportable Islamist model that could rival both capitalism and communism.Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 17 Dec. 2024
-
Before December comes to a close, your celestial ruler, Venus, will also clash with Uranus in your sign, and things could get... well, interesting.Valerie Mesa, People.com, 9 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Experts say the proposal could put serious weight behind ongoing monarch conservation efforts across Arizona, perhaps the only state that hosts butterflies from three of North America’s regional monarch populations.Austin Corona, The Arizona Republic, 12 Dec. 2024
-
Droughts, frost and heat across the continent are killing milkweed, the monarchs’ food source, and destroying their habitat.Rachel Ramirez, CNN, 10 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
The broadcasts have been recorded in advance since 1960 and are shared as a way for the sovereign to reflect on current events, the meaning of Christmas and the landscape of the world's stage.Janine Henni, People.com, 23 Dec. 2024
-
The sovereign established the charity in 1990 to create improved communities where people, places and the planet can coexist.Janine Henni, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near potentate
Cite this Entry
“Potentate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/potentate. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share