as in possibilities
something that can develop or become actual
a time when cloning was merely a potential and the stuff of science fiction
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Recent Examples of potentials
Kudo agrees, adding matte and cat-eye finishes as chic potentials for reds and pinks, respectively.
—
Calin Van Paris, InStyle, 5 Feb. 2026
Michael Levin, a researcher at Tufts University, has blocked cell channels to manipulate the membrane potentials of developing worm embryos, causing genetically identical worms to develop different body plans.
—Elise Cutts, Quanta Magazine, 12 Jan. 2026
The tiles thus became an instrument, a resonating body; the installation paid respect to the generative potentials embedded in natural materials, including the clay soil from which the tiles were made.
—Hung Duong, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026
These signals come in forms such as action potentials (resembling animal nerve cells, though slower) and variation potentials (often linked with stress responses).
—Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 19 Nov. 2025
That’s no longer the case, and suddenly the possibilities for who wins this category are endless, with Taylor, Wicked’s Ariana Grande, and Sentimental Value’s Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas all feeling like potentials at this stage.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2025
Writing on future potentials for synthetic biology in 1912, none other than Stéphane Leduc — the scientist who, as previously mentioned, gave the field its name — made precisely this claim.
—Thomas Moynihan, Big Think, 15 Sep. 2025
However, the Environmental Protection Agency has been working to phase out products like Forane 134a to instead use items with reduced global warming potentials.
—Olivia Evans, The Courier-Journal, 26 Aug. 2025
However, the Environmental Protection Agency has been working to phase out products like Forane 134a to instead use items with reduced global warming potentials.
—Olivia Evans, Louisville Courier Journal, 25 Aug. 2025
Calin Van Paris, InStyle, 5 Feb. 2026
Michael Levin, a researcher at Tufts University, has blocked cell channels to manipulate the membrane potentials of developing worm embryos, causing genetically identical worms to develop different body plans.
—Elise Cutts, Quanta Magazine, 12 Jan. 2026
The tiles thus became an instrument, a resonating body; the installation paid respect to the generative potentials embedded in natural materials, including the clay soil from which the tiles were made.
—Hung Duong, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026
These signals come in forms such as action potentials (resembling animal nerve cells, though slower) and variation potentials (often linked with stress responses).
—Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 19 Nov. 2025
That’s no longer the case, and suddenly the possibilities for who wins this category are endless, with Taylor, Wicked’s Ariana Grande, and Sentimental Value’s Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas all feeling like potentials at this stage.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2025
Writing on future potentials for synthetic biology in 1912, none other than Stéphane Leduc — the scientist who, as previously mentioned, gave the field its name — made precisely this claim.
—Thomas Moynihan, Big Think, 15 Sep. 2025
However, the Environmental Protection Agency has been working to phase out products like Forane 134a to instead use items with reduced global warming potentials.
—Olivia Evans, The Courier-Journal, 26 Aug. 2025
However, the Environmental Protection Agency has been working to phase out products like Forane 134a to instead use items with reduced global warming potentials.
—Olivia Evans, Louisville Courier Journal, 25 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for potentials
Noun
-
These new players were inhaling possibilities.—
Jerry Brewer,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Outside, the agricultural heritage of the property continues to offer possibilities.—
Miriam Schwartz,
Hartford Courant,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
And where there is injustice and frustration, the potentialities for violence are greater.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
12 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Keith Law is doing a live chat today to talk MLB prospects.—
Chris Branch,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Bank of America analyst Koji Ikeda is optimistic about the company’s growth prospects.—
TipRanks,
CNBC,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Potentials.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/potentials. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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