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
Seoul, South Korea CNN — The sweeping tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump on Wednesday target not only economic superpowers but also financial minnows.
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2025
We are focused on restoring the golden age of America and making America a manufacturing superpower.
—Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
To harness this superpower: Do: Practice in an environment that mirrors the real thing.
—Lorraine K. Lee, Contributor, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2025
Both inside the North American superpower and across the wider world, there’s a feeling that every single one of Trump’s orders and threats will have long-lasting effects that could derail the current world order, which in most cases means the consequences are perceived as negative.
—Agustino Fontevecchia, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for superpower
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Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2025
We are focused on restoring the golden age of America and making America a manufacturing superpower.
—Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
To harness this superpower: Do: Practice in an environment that mirrors the real thing.
—Lorraine K. Lee, Contributor, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2025
Both inside the North American superpower and across the wider world, there’s a feeling that every single one of Trump’s orders and threats will have long-lasting effects that could derail the current world order, which in most cases means the consequences are perceived as negative.
—Agustino Fontevecchia, Forbes.com, 31 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 12 Apr. 2025.
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superpower
noun
su·per·pow·er
ˈsü-pər-ˌpau̇(-ə)r
: an extremely powerful nation
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