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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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
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Many Christian clerics and secular rulers in western Europe believed that the popes needed to return to Rome, to distance papal authority from French influence.—
Joanne M. Pierce,
The Conversation,
28 Jan. 2025
-
After all, cats may not think of themselves as 'cats' but as rulers of their kingdoms, so perhaps being allergic to one's subjects isn't so surprising.—
Barbara A. Perry,
Newsweek,
27 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Her sister, whose full name is Sienna Elizabeth Mapelli Mozzi, was also named after the monarch.—
Jack Guy,
CNN,
29 Jan. 2025
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Chosen only by the monarch, a Royal Warrant of Appointment is a document that permits a company to use the royal arms in connection with its business.—
Monique Jessen,
People.com,
29 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Andrew’s response is more petulance; more younger brother than the adult, aging son of the sovereign.—
Jack King,
Vulture,
19 Sep. 2024
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Much better to be overlooked and underappreciated than in the sovereign’s good graces.—
Eva Wolchover,
New York Times,
2 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near potentate
Cite this Entry
“Potentate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/potentate. Accessed 3 Feb. 2025.
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