as in ruler
one who rules over a people with a sole, supreme, and usually hereditary authority
Charles inherited the position of potentate of the Holy Roman Empire from his grandfather, as well that of king of Spain from his father
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Recent Examples of potentate
Or were all those billionaire potentates in the Capitol Rotunda — seated in front of Trump’s Cabinet picks — asserting their social, economic and cultural hegemony?
—
Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2025
A number of sports potentates will be making the Idaho scene, at a moment when tens of billions of dollars are changing hands in pursuit of ever-valuable rights.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 10 July 2024
This was a violin in full command of its considerable powers, a violin capable of enchanting the most powerful potentate in the land and persuading him to do its bidding.
—Mary Carole McCauley, Baltimore Sun, 24 June 2024
This must remain a country that rejects princes or potentates.
—Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 9 Jan. 2024
See All Example Sentences for potentate
Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2025
A number of sports potentates will be making the Idaho scene, at a moment when tens of billions of dollars are changing hands in pursuit of ever-valuable rights.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 10 July 2024
This was a violin in full command of its considerable powers, a violin capable of enchanting the most powerful potentate in the land and persuading him to do its bidding.
—Mary Carole McCauley, Baltimore Sun, 24 June 2024
This must remain a country that rejects princes or potentates.
—Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 9 Jan. 2024
See All Example Sentences for potentate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for potentate
Noun
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Advertisement Advertisement That makes The Man Who Would Be King: Mohammed bin Salman and the Transformation of Saudi Arabia, House’s new book about Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, Mohammed bin Salman, essential reading.—
Edward Felsenthal,
Time,
23 July 2025
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Hadrian’s Aqueduct, commissioned by Emperor Hadrian in 125 C.E. and completed in 140, is one of several projects the ruler, known for his proclivity to build, has to his name.—
Christian Thorsberg,
Smithsonian Magazine,
22 July 2025
Noun
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The treasure chest emoji celebrates discovery and reward. Also known as the ocean’s apex predator, the leviathan, the monarch of the deep, the black fin, and certainly not Flipper.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
28 July 2025
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However, there is currently no evidence of the spouse of an heir hosting an investiture ceremony, meaning Camilla is currently more likely than Kate to take on the role until Prince William becomes monarch.—
Stephanie Petit,
People.com,
24 July 2025
Noun
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The situation is made more challenging by the fact that our taxpayer also functions as the head a foreign sovereign — the Holy See.—
Robert Goulder,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
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The address marks only the second time in Canadian history that the reigning sovereign has opened parliament, and the third time that the British monarch has delivered the Speech from the Throne.—
Max Saltman,
CNN Money,
26 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Potentate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/potentate. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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