potentate

[poht-n-teyt]

noun

1. a person who possesses great power, as a sovereign, monarch, or ruler.

potentate

/ ˈpəʊtənˌteɪt /

noun

1. a person who possesses great power or authority, esp a ruler or monarch

Word History and Origins

Origin of potentate¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Late Latin potentātus potentate, Latin: power, dominion. See potent ¹, -ate ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of potentate¹

C14: from Late Latin potentātus ruler, from Latin: rule, command, from potens powerful, from posse to be able

Example Sentences

We’re supposed to believe them when they proclaim Newsom is a pompadoured potentate who threatens all Californians, just because he wants to redo congressional maps?

From Los Angeles Times

George, now firmly established himself as one of New York’s premier financial potentates, turns his gaze in the direction of the setting sun, aiming to cut a swath of influence to the other coast.

From Salon

With the cabinet not having met since 2018, all power flows through him, and like a potentate he receives a string of local officials and foreign dignitaries at his retreat.

From BBC

In fact, he brought him along on his Middle East Grift Trip where he was hawking his companies to all the same kings and potentates.

From Salon

Or were all those billionaire potentates in the Capitol Rotunda — seated in front of Trump’s Cabinet picks — asserting their social, economic and cultural hegemony?

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• despot