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
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
Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 20 July 2025
Those soft ticket sales suggest that nostalgia isn’t nearly as potent as Sony might have hoped when greenlighting the slasher sequel and reuniting the original 1998 film’s stars, Freddie Prinze Jr. and Jennifer Love Hewitt.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 20 July 2025
Still, the symbolism of electrifying Hong Kong’s taxis is potent.
—Clay Chandler, Fortune, 19 July 2025
While dates aren’t exactly a staple ingredient in Afghan cuisine, they’re used to break a day of fasting during Ramadan, given their religious significance and potent nutritional value.
—Olivia Petty, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for potent
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Adjective
The moment for me in that scene that’s the most potent is actually not the poster.
—Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 20 July 2025
Those soft ticket sales suggest that nostalgia isn’t nearly as potent as Sony might have hoped when greenlighting the slasher sequel and reuniting the original 1998 film’s stars, Freddie Prinze Jr. and Jennifer Love Hewitt.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 20 July 2025
Still, the symbolism of electrifying Hong Kong’s taxis is potent.
—Clay Chandler, Fortune, 19 July 2025
While dates aren’t exactly a staple ingredient in Afghan cuisine, they’re used to break a day of fasting during Ramadan, given their religious significance and potent nutritional value.
—Olivia Petty, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for potent
Cite this Entry
“Potent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/potent. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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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