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
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
The goal, in the end, is to expand and enlarge our sense of self and the potentialities within our craft through careful reading, compositional imitation, and rigorous discussion.
—Ocean Vuong
september 6, Literary Hub, 6 Sep. 2022
See All Example Sentences for potentiality
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
The goal, in the end, is to expand and enlarge our sense of self and the potentialities within our craft through careful reading, compositional imitation, and rigorous discussion.
—Ocean Vuong
september 6, Literary Hub, 6 Sep. 2022
See All Example Sentences for potentiality
Recent Examples of Synonyms for potentiality
Noun
-
How come this outcome or set of outcomes occurred, as opposed to any other possibility?—
Big Think,
Big Think,
10 Feb. 2026
-
There’s a possibility that Takaichi is going to move very aggressively.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Most people at the meeting, held over Microsoft Teams, expressed excitement at the potential for conservation in an area stretching from Will Rogers State Beach to Torrance, plus 200 yards inland.—
Susanne Rust
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Feb. 2026
-
But potential alone does not pay the bills, lower energy costs or create opportunity.—
Steve Hershey,
Baltimore Sun,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Potentiality.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/potentiality. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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