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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Recent Examples of potentate
Maybe bringing in the charity will boost the power of a local potentate.
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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
Though often fraught in the execution in the abstract the position of Jews within pre-modern political units was not controversial; Jews were subjects with obligations, often a useful minority for potentates.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 6 June 2010
The result was that Hollywood sold its gems as costume jewelry, not through mercenary cynicism but because the studio potentates were no more aware of the enduring art being produced under their aegis than were critics or, for that matter, viewers.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2023
See all Example Sentences for 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
Though often fraught in the execution in the abstract the position of Jews within pre-modern political units was not controversial; Jews were subjects with obligations, often a useful minority for potentates.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 6 June 2010
The result was that Hollywood sold its gems as costume jewelry, not through mercenary cynicism but because the studio potentates were no more aware of the enduring art being produced under their aegis than were critics or, for that matter, viewers.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2023
See all Example Sentences for potentate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for potentate
Noun
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Your celestial ruler, Mars, is finally coming up for air, entering your Fire sign sibling Leo and your fifth house of creativity, romance and self-expression.Valerie Mesa, People.com, 3 Nov. 2024
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This week, the Sun’s favorite planet is Saturn, the ruler of order, responsibility, and ambition.Jennifer Culp, Them, 1 Nov. 2024
Noun
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As monarch, Charles last year drew a private income of £27.4 million (around $35 million) from his Duchy of Lancaster property portfolio while William's Duchy of Cornwall brought in £23.6 million (around $30 million).Jack Royston, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
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The British monarch gave remarks while attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa.James Redmayne, USA TODAY, 25 Oct. 2024
Noun
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The sovereign was shown one of Brown's scans, and Long, who won the Australian of the Year Award with Scoyler for their strides to save lives from skin cancer, explained the steps of treatment following a melanoma diagnosis.Janine Henni, People.com, 23 Oct. 2024
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Parliament’s second line of action was to attempt to eliminate the sovereign’s ability to arbitrarily grant monopolies and other licenses.Andrew Cockburn, Harper's Magazine, 20 Aug. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Potentate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/potentate. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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