as in ruler
one who rules over a people with a sole, supreme, and usually hereditary authority
Charles inherited the position of potentate of the Holy Roman Empire from his grandfather, as well that of king of Spain from his father
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of potentate
This was a violin in full command of its considerable powers, a violin capable of enchanting the most powerful potentate in the land and persuading him to do its bidding.
—
Mary Carole McCauley, Baltimore Sun, 24 June 2024
This must remain a country that rejects princes or potentates.
—Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 9 Jan. 2024
Maybe bringing in the charity will boost the power of a local potentate.
—Leif Wenar, WIRED, 27 Mar. 2024
In early-modern Europe, the Medicis and other potentates created what were the microfinance schemes of their time, lending small sums of money to poor citizens.
—Mark Malloch-Brown, Foreign Affairs, 15 Jan. 2024
See all Example Sentences for potentate 
Mary Carole McCauley, Baltimore Sun, 24 June 2024
This must remain a country that rejects princes or potentates.
—Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 9 Jan. 2024
Maybe bringing in the charity will boost the power of a local potentate.
—Leif Wenar, WIRED, 27 Mar. 2024
In early-modern Europe, the Medicis and other potentates created what were the microfinance schemes of their time, lending small sums of money to poor citizens.
—Mark Malloch-Brown, Foreign Affairs, 15 Jan. 2024
See all Example Sentences for potentate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for potentate
Noun
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His interest in sports analytics comes from his math teacher father, who handed out rulers to Trick-or-Treaters each year.—
Jesse Newell,
Kansas City Star,
7 Feb. 2025
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The month begins on a dreamy note as your celestial ruler, Venus, joins Neptune in a whimsical conjunction.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone are delicious as the two ruthless favorites of the monarch, who try to outmaneuver each other at all costs.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
9 Feb. 2025
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Thus the ending of the old monarch was properly marked by friends and foes alike.—
Contributed Content,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The crux of the problem is that the Constitution explicitly grants power to both federal and state governments – but the founders did not specify what to do if the two sovereigns disagree or how any ensuing struggle should be resolved.—
Claire B. Wofford,
The Conversation,
27 Jan. 2025
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The sovereign visited his daughter-in-law before his own procedure, and they were discharged a few days apart.—
Janine Henni,
People.com,
17 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near potentate
Cite this Entry
“Potentate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/potentate. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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