potent

¹

[ poht-nt ]

adjective

1. powerful; mighty:

   a potent fighting force.

   Synonyms: puissant, strong

   Antonyms: weak

2. cogent; persuasive:

   Several potent arguments were in his favor.

3. producing powerful physical or chemical effects:

   a potent drug.

4. having or exercising great power or influence:

   a potent factor in the economy.

   Synonyms: influential

   Antonyms: ineffectual

5. (of a male) capable of sexual intercourse.

potent

²

[ poht-nt ]

noun

1. 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.
2. a T -shaped form used in potent or counterpotent.

adjective

1. (of a cross) having a crosspiece at the extremity of each arm:

   a cross potent.

potent

¹

/ ˈpəʊtənt /

adjective

1. heraldry (of a cross) having flat bars across the ends of the arms

potent

²

/ ˈpəʊtənt /

adjective

1. possessing great strength; powerful
2. (of arguments, etc) persuasive or forceful
3. influential or authoritative
4. tending to produce violent physical or chemical effects

   a potent poison

5. (of a male) capable of having sexual intercourse

Derived Forms

• ˈpotentness, noun
• ˈpotently, adverb

Other Words From

• po·tent·ly adverb
• po·tent·ness noun

Word History and Origins

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 )

Word History and Origins

Origin of potent¹

C17: from obsolete potent a crutch, from Latin potentia power

Origin of potent²

C15: from Latin potēns able, from posse to be able

Synonym Study

See powerful.

Example Sentences

Krikorian, who declined to be interviewed for this story, offered the group a simple yet telling answer: The climate issue was a potent opportunity.

From Salon

Next time around the party will want a better salesperson and more potent personality.

From Slate

He understood that trashing immigrants tapped into the American primordial fear of newcomers, a phobia so potent that right now, the Democratic takeover of California after Proposition 187 looks more like an exception than a rule.

From Los Angeles Times

Garcia focused heavily on California’s high cost of living and gasoline — a potent message in a commuter district where many residents who are drawn by cheaper housing but commute two hours or more to work in Los Angeles.

From Los Angeles Times

He is also likely to ease restrictions on the oil industry’s emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, and to revoke Biden’s pause on increasing liquid petroleum gas exports.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• compelling
• dominant
• dynamic
• great
• impressive
• influential
• persuasive
• powerful
• robust
• strong
• useful
• vigorous