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
Ron Elving, NPR, 1 Feb. 2025
For severe forms of acid reflux, such as GERD, your provider will prescribe a more potent medication.
—Ayesha Gulzar, Verywell Health, 31 Jan. 2025
The show is a bit of a time capsule now—maybe even a period drama—but Skins’s issues remain potent: characters lost their virginities, dealt with parents’ divorces and affairs, battled eating disorders and substance abuse, shoplifted, fought, raved, and found dysfunctional, die-hard friendships.
—Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 31 Jan. 2025
The potent dose of Nineties nostalgia followed performances by Green Day with Billie Eilish, Stephen Stills with Graham Nash, Pink, Gracie Abrams, the Black Crowes, Rod Stewart, and Earth, Wind & Fire.
—Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 31 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for potent 
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Adjective
But conflicts could arise over other potent parts of the 2024 agenda.
—Ron Elving, NPR, 1 Feb. 2025
For severe forms of acid reflux, such as GERD, your provider will prescribe a more potent medication.
—Ayesha Gulzar, Verywell Health, 31 Jan. 2025
The show is a bit of a time capsule now—maybe even a period drama—but Skins’s issues remain potent: characters lost their virginities, dealt with parents’ divorces and affairs, battled eating disorders and substance abuse, shoplifted, fought, raved, and found dysfunctional, die-hard friendships.
—Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 31 Jan. 2025
The potent dose of Nineties nostalgia followed performances by Green Day with Billie Eilish, Stephen Stills with Graham Nash, Pink, Gracie Abrams, the Black Crowes, Rod Stewart, and Earth, Wind & Fire.
—Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 31 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 7 Feb. 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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