superpower
noun
su·per·pow·er
ˈsü-pər-ˌpau̇(-ə)r 
1
: excessive or superior power
2
a
: an extremely powerful nation
specifically
: one of a very few dominant states in an era when the world is divided politically into these states and their satellites
b
: an international governing body able to enforce its will upon the most powerful states
c
: an extremely powerful company, organization, etc.
The retailer hoped to become a financial services superpower …—
Patricia Sellers
Patricia Sellers3
: a power or ability (such as the ability to become invisible or to fly) of the kind possessed by superheroes : a superhuman power
The Fantastic Four first appeared in November 1961, originating with four friends who journeyed to space to thwart the Russians from getting there first. They were overwhelmed by a menacing radiation cloud and their molecular structure was altered, giving each of them superpowers.—Laura Mattoon D'Amore
Laura Mattoon D'AmoreThe superpower I've always wished for is invisibility, and I chose my vocation accordingly. A novelist gets 140,000 words per one tiny author photo. That's a visibility ratio I can live with.—Barbara Kingsolver
Barbara KingsolverExamples of superpower in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
By the mid-Aughts, the deindustrializing superpower, committed to forever wars abroad and extreme inequality at home, was ripe for Trumpism.
—Pankaj Mishra, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
The 25th Amendment to the Constitution, ratified in 1967, was designed to address presidential succession and disability in an era of nuclear weapons and global superpower responsibilities.
—Lynn Schmidt, Twin Cities, 19 Sep. 2025
Embrace the pivot as a superpower.
—Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
The '90s icon talks about bonding with her kids, having mom friends, and her parenting superpowers.
—Anna Halkidis, Parents, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for superpower
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Pankaj Mishra, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
The 25th Amendment to the Constitution, ratified in 1967, was designed to address presidential succession and disability in an era of nuclear weapons and global superpower responsibilities.
—Lynn Schmidt, Twin Cities, 19 Sep. 2025
Embrace the pivot as a superpower.
—Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
The '90s icon talks about bonding with her kids, having mom friends, and her parenting superpowers.
—Anna Halkidis, Parents, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for superpower
Cite this Entry
“Superpower.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/superpower. Accessed 24 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
superpower
noun
su·per·pow·er
ˈsü-pər-ˌpau̇(-ə)r
: an extremely powerful nation
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