potentially
adverb
po·ten·tial·ly
pə-ˈten(t)-sh(ə-)lē 
: 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
Peter H. LewisThe phenomenon seemed significant for both the science of immunology and, potentially, for medicine.—Daniel J. Kevles
Daniel J. KevlesPotentially 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
L. J. DavisThe 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
Sumathi ReddyExamples of potentially in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The reason for the Fed’s tentative steps is its two primary and potentially clashing mandates — maximum sustainable employment and price stability.
—Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 20 Sep. 2025
That made Friday night his final regular season start at Dodger Stadium – and potentially his last start there, depending on how the Dodgers do in the postseason.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 20 Sep. 2025
If completed, the deal would give Taiwan 12 NASAMS batteries, potentially enough to provide overlapping coverage of key areas against short- and medium-range threats such as aircraft, drones, helicopters, and cruise missiles.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 19 Sep. 2025
Bringing luggage during an evacuation can slow the process, potentially risking the lives of passengers still on the plane, and bags can damage emergency exit slides.
—Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for potentially
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Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 20 Sep. 2025
That made Friday night his final regular season start at Dodger Stadium – and potentially his last start there, depending on how the Dodgers do in the postseason.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 20 Sep. 2025
If completed, the deal would give Taiwan 12 NASAMS batteries, potentially enough to provide overlapping coverage of key areas against short- and medium-range threats such as aircraft, drones, helicopters, and cruise missiles.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 19 Sep. 2025
Bringing luggage during an evacuation can slow the process, potentially risking the lives of passengers still on the plane, and bags can damage emergency exit slides.
—Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for potentially
Cite this Entry
“Potentially.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/potentially. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
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