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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of potentate
This was a violin in full command of its considerable powers, a violin capable of enchanting the most powerful potentate in the land and persuading him to do its bidding.
—
Mary Carole McCauley, Baltimore Sun, 24 June 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for potentate
Mary Carole McCauley, Baltimore Sun, 24 June 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for potentate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for potentate
Noun
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Your celestial ruler, Mercury, is retrograde and slipping back into Pisces — your 10th house of authority, career and public persona — urging you to take a second look at your professional goals and dreams.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
29 Mar. 2025
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His interest in sports analytics comes from his math teacher father, who handed out rulers to Trick-or-Treaters each year.—
Jesse Newell,
Kansas City Star,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
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After being diagnosed with an unspecified form of cancer in February last year, the monarch has been undergoing treatment and was hospitalized briefly on Thursday due to side effects.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2025
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Those close to Harry claimed to the outlet that the monarch no longer takes his son’s calls or responds to his letters.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
31 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The sovereign is known to reach for watercolors and has brought his paint set along for royal tours all over the world through the years.—
Janine Henni,
People.com,
20 Feb. 2025
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Kerl will be in Sydney on Tuesday to try to meet the 75-year-old British sovereign again during his first tour to a Commonwealth realm since acceding the throne.—
Hilary Whiteman,
CNN,
18 Oct. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Potentate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/potentate. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.
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