po·tent
ˈpō-tᵊnt 
1
: having or wielding force, authority, or influence : powerful
2
: achieving or bringing about a particular result : effective
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
Synonyms
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
Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 16 May 2024
The majority of these deaths were due to opioids, particularly synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, which is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 15 May 2024
Some studies have shown that marijuana being sold today is significantly more potent than what was sold years ago.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 May 2024
For instance, University of Pittsburgh researchers found that the last time fatal overdoses dropped nationally in 2018, the downturn coincided with stricter regulations in China on carfentanil, a highly potent synthetic opioid.
—Emily Alpert Reyes, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2024
Many experts link the overdose crisis to the spread of illicit fentanyl, which is a synthetic opioid that is about 50 times more potent than heroin.
—Chantelle Lee, TIME, 14 May 2024
Public health officials have been warning about the presence of fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid, in the illicit drug supply for more than a decade.
—Emma Bowman, NPR, 13 May 2024
For Nguyen, who came to the United States with his family in 1975, the movies were potent and personal.
—James Poniewozik, New York Times, 6 May 2024
Nearly 6,500 of those deaths were attributed to fentanyl, a highly potent synthetic opioid.
—Andrew Sheeler, Sacramento Bee, 6 May 2024
Adjective
That’s significantly more potent than the previous most powerful version of the nameplate, the current-gen Speed, which comes with a W-12 that makes 650 hp and 665 ft lbs of torque.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 16 May 2024
The majority of these deaths were due to opioids, particularly synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, which is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 15 May 2024
Some studies have shown that marijuana being sold today is significantly more potent than what was sold years ago.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 May 2024
For instance, University of Pittsburgh researchers found that the last time fatal overdoses dropped nationally in 2018, the downturn coincided with stricter regulations in China on carfentanil, a highly potent synthetic opioid.
—Emily Alpert Reyes, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2024
Many experts link the overdose crisis to the spread of illicit fentanyl, which is a synthetic opioid that is about 50 times more potent than heroin.
—Chantelle Lee, TIME, 14 May 2024
Public health officials have been warning about the presence of fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid, in the illicit drug supply for more than a decade.
—Emma Bowman, NPR, 13 May 2024
For Nguyen, who came to the United States with his family in 1975, the movies were potent and personal.
—James Poniewozik, New York Times, 6 May 2024
Nearly 6,500 of those deaths were attributed to fentanyl, a highly potent synthetic opioid.
—Andrew Sheeler, Sacramento Bee, 6 May 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'potent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near potent
Cite this Entry
“Potent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/potent. Accessed 28 May. 2024.
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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