as in possibility
something that can develop or become actual
would like to see a colony on the moon as an actuality and not merely a potentiality
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Recent Examples of potentiality
On foot, there are no boundaries in the land, no divides, nothing but the past and the potentiality of the future.
—
Michael McColly, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2025
Each of these sentiments points to the rich, fertile space that exists at the margins—of the body, of language, of the photograph—while also emphasizing the creative potentialities of touch, the action that propels these often porous edges to meet.
—Jessica Simmons-Reid, Artforum, 1 June 2025
The time lapses don’t connect these scenes narratively so much as suggest the potentialities of a constantly warping persona.
—Armond White, National Review, 14 May 2025
In a striking parallel to the 1990s, epochal thinking about the potentialities of a high technology society has once again upended politics.
—Jacob Bruggeman & Casey Eilbert / Made By History, TIME, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for potentiality
Michael McColly, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2025
Each of these sentiments points to the rich, fertile space that exists at the margins—of the body, of language, of the photograph—while also emphasizing the creative potentialities of touch, the action that propels these often porous edges to meet.
—Jessica Simmons-Reid, Artforum, 1 June 2025
The time lapses don’t connect these scenes narratively so much as suggest the potentialities of a constantly warping persona.
—Armond White, National Review, 14 May 2025
In a striking parallel to the 1990s, epochal thinking about the potentialities of a high technology society has once again upended politics.
—Jacob Bruggeman & Casey Eilbert / Made By History, TIME, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for potentiality
Recent Examples of Synonyms for potentiality
Noun
-
With thousands of Marines and Army paratroopers now deployed to the Middle East, the possibility of boots on the ground is no longer theoretical—and Bannon is using it to force a pointed question about who, exactly, should be doing the fighting.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Some 18 months ago, Mack said, the Royals launched a deep dive after Picollo broached the possibility of exploring strange new worlds.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
When heavy rain occurs, there is a potential for flooding, particularly in areas that are low-lying or prone to floods.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
2 Apr. 2026
-
If there is a potential for temperatures to fall into these thresholds, a freeze watch may be issued a few days ahead of time.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Potentiality.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/potentiality. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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