powerful

adjective

pow·​er·​ful ˈpau̇(-ə)r-fəl 

1

: having great power, prestige, or influence

a powerful leader

2

: leading to many or important deductions

a powerful set of postulates

Synonyms

• heavy
• heavy-duty
• important
• influential
• mighty
• potent
• puissant
• significant
• strong

Examples of powerful in a Sentence

The country is becoming more and more powerful.

powerful drugs that attack cancer cells

The cash bonus provides a powerful incentive to workers.

The perfume has a powerful smell.

It's a very powerful movie.

The dog has a powerful body.

She has a powerful voice.

The weapons are very powerful.

The aardvark uses its powerful claws to dig for food.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Global South, the causes of which Modi has increasingly sought to champion, will have a powerful advocate. —Michael Kugelman, TIME, 5 June 2024

North Korea has previously responded to the flights of powerful U.S. aircraft in South Korea with its own missile tests. —CBS News, 5 June 2024

Lin writes in short, powerful chapters — postcards from the depths of grief. —Adam Bell, Charlotte Observer, 5 June 2024

The Fortune 500 may include the most powerful CEOs in the world, but just a few of these top executives can look back and reminisce on the very first days of their company. —Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 4 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing powerful

• all-powerful

Kids Definition

powerful

adjective

pow·​er·​ful ˈpau̇(-ə)r-fəl 

: full of or having power or influence : strong, effective

powerfully

-f(ə-)lē 

adverb