potent
1 Americanadjective
-
powerful; mighty.
a potent fighting force.
- Antonyms:
- weak
-
cogent; persuasive.
Several potent arguments were in his favor.
-
producing powerful physical or chemical effects.
a potent drug.
-
having or exercising great power or influence.
a potent factor in the economy.
- Synonyms:
- influential
- Antonyms:
- ineffectual
-
(of a male) capable of sexual intercourse.
noun
-
a fur having a pattern of T -shaped forms, placed in alternate directions and having alternating tinctures, one metal and one color, so that all forms of one tincture face the same way and are between, above, and below forms of the other tincture facing the other way.
-
a T -shaped form used in potent or counterpotent.
adjective
adjective
-
possessing great strength; powerful
-
(of arguments, etc) persuasive or forceful
-
influential or authoritative
-
tending to produce violent physical or chemical effects
a potent poison
-
(of a male) capable of having sexual intercourse
adjective
Usage
What does potent mean? Potent means strong, powerful, and effective.It’s commonly applied to things that produce a powerful physical or chemical effect, especially medications and drugs.It can also be used in a more general way to describe the power or effectiveness of someone or something, such as a leader or a statement.The noun form of potent is potency.Example: The medicine is extremely potent, which means that it needs to be used very carefully according to the instructions.
Related Words
See powerful.
Other Word Forms
- potently adverb
- potentness noun
Etymology
Origin of potent1
First recorded in 1490–1500; from Latin potent- (stem of potēns ), present participle of posse “to be able, have power”; potent
Origin of potent2
First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English potente “crutch, staff, support,” from Middle French potente, potence “crutch, support,” ultimately from Medieval Latin potentia, Latin: power, potency; potent 1 ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It’s all the result of a potent new dynamic in the U.S. market for electricity.
From Barron's
“It’s got multiple ways of stopping the HIV from replicating and it’s very potent, so all you need is a tiny dose,” Barr explained.
From Barron's
That path back for USC would certainly be smoother with a more potent offense.
From Los Angeles Times
He judged perfectly when to attack and when to hold back, working singles and twos instead against a potent Pakistan attack who were taking regular wickets at the other end.
From Barron's
AI disruption fears have been a potent selling signal in the market this year.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
