great power

noun

variants often Great Power
Synonyms of great powernext
: one of the nations that figure most decisively in international affairs : superpower

Examples of great power in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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However, the bill gave Lincoln great power by suspending this in order to imprison those who were viewed as threats to the Union. Mikayla Bunnell, Hartford Courant, 3 Feb. 2026 When neither great power embraces free trade, the rest of the world will simply go elsewhere. Editorial Board, Washington Post, 2 Feb. 2026 Without tying it specifically to the United States, the Canadian prime minister alleged that great powers are now intent on leveraging their economic heft, geopolitical influence and military power to extract concessions from smaller states. Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026 But more recently, great powers have begun using economic integration as weapons, tariffs as leverage, financial infrastructure as coercion, supply chains as vulnerabilities to be exploited. ABC News, 25 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for great power

Word History

First Known Use

1660, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of great power was in 1660

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Cite this Entry

“Great power.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/great%20power. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

great power

noun
: one of the nations that have the greatest influence, resources, and military strength in the world

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