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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Recent Examples of potentates
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.
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James Jeffrey, Foreign Affairs, 13 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for potentates
Noun
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Most of the vitriol has been aimed at the UAE, with Emiratis largely exercising restraint — and, unlike the Qatar episode, both are avoiding personal attacks on rulers (or their mothers).—
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Composed of pictograms, the Azcatitlán’s 25 folios feature a succession of Aztec rulers, and dramatize the arrival of Hernán Cortés and Christianity.—
Noun
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Netflix’s potential $83 billion takeover of the house of Harry Potter doesn’t come with marquee sports properties (WBD previously announced plans to spin off TNT Sports), but the acquisition would establish the group of one-time Hollywood outsiders as the undisputed monarchs of entertainment.—
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Pillbox Hats As Pamela Anderson so kindly reminded us earlier this year, this jaunty little chapeau isn’t just for monarchs and first ladies.—
Noun
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Though he’s used to being invited to VIP gatherings — from fashion shows to meetings with presidents and kings — this seemed outside his wheelhouse.—
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He's known for reshaping the Scottish government, expanding royal authority and being one of the few Scottish kings to be canonized by the Catholic Church.—
Cite this Entry
“Potentates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/potentates. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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