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
As sure as his offensive genius and ability to connect with players of every background, this is another of Reid’s superpowers ...
—Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 2 Feb. 2025
And, of course, look for those with an axe to grind—from extremist groups to rogue states and struggling superpowers—to capitalize on the global lack of leadership to make gains.
—Maha Hosain Aziz, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025
The soul-shattering abuses suffered by enslaved Africans, who were forcibly stripped of their languages, religions and other key aspects of their culture, were fortunately no match for their superpower — African aesthetics, the enduring, innate African way of life.
—Jared McCallister, New York Daily News, 31 Jan. 2025
Trump’s whims stand to supersede the decades of calculus that have defined the last two true superpowers.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 28 Jan. 2025
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Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 2 Feb. 2025
And, of course, look for those with an axe to grind—from extremist groups to rogue states and struggling superpowers—to capitalize on the global lack of leadership to make gains.
—Maha Hosain Aziz, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025
The soul-shattering abuses suffered by enslaved Africans, who were forcibly stripped of their languages, religions and other key aspects of their culture, were fortunately no match for their superpower — African aesthetics, the enduring, innate African way of life.
—Jared McCallister, New York Daily News, 31 Jan. 2025
Trump’s whims stand to supersede the decades of calculus that have defined the last two true superpowers.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 28 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for superpower
Dictionary Entries Near superpower
Cite this Entry
“Superpower.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/superpower. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.
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superpower
noun
su·per·pow·er
ˈsü-pər-ˌpau̇(-ə)r
: an extremely powerful nation
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