Thesaurus results for POTENTATE

potentate

noun

ˈpō-tᵊn-ˌtāt

Definition of potentate

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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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of potentate The game is a playground for Russian oligarchs, Middle Eastern potentates, and Latin American strongmen—his people. — Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 7 Apr. 2026 Biden put this sentiment into action by working with Netanyahu despite serious moral and political failures in Gaza, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on NATO expansion, and with Gulf potentates on the region’s security architecture. — James Jeffrey, Foreign Affairs, 13 Nov. 2025 Why don’t all the rich potentates, sheiks, oligarchs and MAGA dictators meet and fix it? — Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2025 But in his mid-80s, King George ponders whether to abdicate and devote his remaining days to finding female companionship (the aging potentate remains potent with the help of Viagra and similar pharmaceuticals). — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 5 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for potentate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for potentate

Noun

Critics of Iran's clerical rulers hoped initially that Iran's government would collapse amid a bombing campaign that killed Iran's most senior military and religious officials, including its supreme leader.

— Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
During the Sengoku period, clan leader Isshin Ashina leads a successful rebellion against the rulers to secure Ashina’s independence.

— Aman Kumar, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of ruler

Noun

When Britain's longest-serving monarch died just a few months later in September, the singer was among the stars around the world paying tribute.

— Jennifer Hassan, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
According to People, the 77-year-old monarch hopes his younger son’s return will literally and figuratively bring him closer to Prince William.

— Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of monarch

Noun

In Norway, the official duties of the sovereign are primarily ceremonial, but the monarch heads Council of State meetings on Fridays and formally opens the new session of the Norwegian Parliament each year.

— James Frater, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
Agnatic primogeniture, directly inherited from the Salic Law, stipulates that in the event of death or abdication, the sovereign’s closest male relative is called upon to ascend the throne.

— Séraphine Roger, Vanity Fair, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of sovereign

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“Potentate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/potentate. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of potentate

noun

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