potentially

adverb

po·​ten·​tial·​ly pə-ˈten(t)-sh(ə-)lē How to pronounce potentially (audio)
: in a potential or possible state or condition
used to describe the possible results or effects of something
a potentially dangerous situation [=a situation that has the potential to be or become dangerous]
a potentially useful feature
By creating a personal home page, anyone can publish material that potentially can be read by millions of people worldwide.Peter H. Lewis
The phenomenon seemed significant for both the science of immunology and, potentially, for medicine.Daniel J. Kevles
Potentially adding to the cost of the bail-out is the prevailing FDIC notion that some banks are simply too big to fail.L. J. Davis
The result, they say, is that children are less compelled to play outside, potentially stunting emotional and physical development and exacerbating a nationwide epidemic of childhood obesity.Sumathi Reddy

Examples of potentially in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The notice did not say how many people or which types of individuals were potentially affected, or if the dashboard was on the department’s public-facing website. Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 29 Jan. 2025 According to Andy Martino of SNY, the Mets could potentially pivot back to negotiating with Alonso's camp after a hangup in talks between Alonso and the Toronto Blue Jays. Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025 Analysts estimate that 35% of Amazon’s first-party goods and 40% of its third-party goods come from China and new tariffs could weigh on prices, potentially making products more expensive for shoppers. Paulina Likos, CNBC, 29 Jan. 2025 Kennedy has frequently cited Froot Loops as an example of a food with potentially harmful dyes, saying the version of the Kellogg's cereal sold abroad is healthier and has fewer ingredients compared to the U.S. version. Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 29 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for potentially 

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of potentially was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near potentially

Cite this Entry

“Potentially.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/potentially. Accessed 13 Feb. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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