po·tent
ˈpō-tᵊnt 
1
: having or wielding force, authority, or influence : powerful
a potent argument
2
: achieving or bringing about a particular result : effective
potent methods
3
a
: chemically or medicinally effective
a potent vaccine
b
: rich in a characteristic constituent
a potent drink
4
: able to copulate
—usually used of the male
potently
adverb
of a heraldic cross
: having flat bars across the ends of the arms see cross illustration
Examples of potent in a Sentence
Adjective (1)
a potent tea that is the perfect morning pick-me-up
a potent argument for expanding our program of space exploration
potent medicine that can be obtained through a doctor's prescription
Recent Examples on the Web
CBS News, 3 Jan. 2026
Minnesota’s Somali diaspora With around 84,000 of the state’s roughly 108,000 Somali Americans concentrated in the Twin Cities, the contingent has become a potent voting bloc in the region.
—Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 2 Jan. 2026
That’s where turmeric supplements come in, offering a potent, convenient way to get a meaningful dose.
—Kristine Thomason, Vogue, 2 Jan. 2026
Among the most important pieces of legislation were restricting the use of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides, or SGARs, which are a highly potent poison used for rat control that often kills wildlife and pets.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 2 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for potent
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Adjective
Coach Mike Macdonald's defensive unit flummoxed a 49ers offense that had been the NFL's most potent since Brock Purdy returned from an injury in Week 11.
—CBS News, 3 Jan. 2026
Minnesota’s Somali diaspora With around 84,000 of the state’s roughly 108,000 Somali Americans concentrated in the Twin Cities, the contingent has become a potent voting bloc in the region.
—Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 2 Jan. 2026
That’s where turmeric supplements come in, offering a potent, convenient way to get a meaningful dose.
—Kristine Thomason, Vogue, 2 Jan. 2026
Among the most important pieces of legislation were restricting the use of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides, or SGARs, which are a highly potent poison used for rat control that often kills wildlife and pets.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 2 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for potent
Cite this Entry
“Potent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/potent. Accessed 6 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
potent
adjective
po·tent
ˈpōt-ᵊnt
1
: having force or power
2
: chemically or medicinally effective
a potent vaccine
3
: able to copulate
—usually used of the male
potently
adverb
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