Thesaurus results for POTENTATES

potentates

noun

plural of potentate

as in rulers

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 potentates With 775 rooms, the palace also provides office space for the royal bureaucracy and hosts lavish state dinners for visiting presidents and potentates. — CBS News, 26 June 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for potentates

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 rulers

Noun

Where to see monarchs in Oklahoma City Monarchs are often drawn to parks and gardens where milkweed and native nectaring plants can be found.

— Dale Denwalt, Oklahoman, 29 Aug. 2026
Danish and Swedish monarchs had ruled over the Scandinavian nation for centuries, until 1905.

— Terje Solsvik, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of monarchs

Noun

James topping the list by a significant margin when the likes of Mickey Mantle and Michael Jordan have long been seen as the kings of the sports card world may raise some eyebrows, but his priciest card to date does include Jordan on it.

— Larry Holder, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Anthony Hopkins has played villains and popes, presidents and dictators, titans of literature and comic book kings.

— Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of kings

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“Potentates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/potentates. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of potentates

noun

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