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potent Definition

po·tent (pōt′'nt)

adjective

  1. having authority or power; mighty; influential a potent monarch
  2. convincing; cogent a potent argument
  3. effective or powerful in action, as a drug or drink
  4. able to have an erection and hence to engage in sexual intercourse

Etymology: L potens (gen. potentis), prp. of posse, to be able < potis, able (< IE base *potis, master, husband > Sans pāti, master) + esse, to be: see essence

potent Related Forms

po′·tently adverb

potent Synonyms

potent

modif.

  1. Strong

    vigorous, robust, sturdy; see strong 1, 2.

  2. Powerful

    mighty, great, influential; see dominant 2, powerful 1.

  3. Convincing

    effective, swaying, cogent; see impressive 1, persuasive.

  4. Effective

    useful, stiff, efficient; see effective.

potent Usage Examples

Adjective complement with noun phrase

make: I want to make the religious affairs ministry more potent.

Used with adjective complement

  • remain: It sells at about £ 4 a bunch but only remains potent for a few days after picked.
  • prove: If this is more than hyperbole, the combination should prove potent for a firm famed in the UK market for its results-driven gusto.
  • seem: I'm making no promises on that last one, but The Cavalry Of Light seems equally potent.
  • become: They are then concentrated and their properties become more potent.
  • make: The substance is diluted and made more potent, after which it's usually put into pellet or liquid form.

Modifies a noun

  • antioxidant: Grape Seed Extract is a potent antioxidant for protecting skin tissue.
  • inhibitor: A protein called MAP 30 isolated from the fruit is a potent inhibitor of HIV activity.
  • inducer: GroES has also been shown to be a potent inducer of the in vitro break down of mouse bone ( Ref.
  • carcinogen: It is an extremely potent carcinogen, causing an increase in cancer risk with infinitesimal doses.
  • steroid: Potent steroids should be used for short periods of time whilst mild steroids can be used for longer.
  • corticosteroid: Compared with potent topical corticosteroids, no significant difference was shown.

Modifying Another Word

  • moderately: Mild and moderately potent topical corticosteroids are rarely associated with side effects.
  • incredibly: These incredibly potent warriors have become fixed upon the path of the Technical Support advisor; they are usually ancient, bloated beings.
  • highly: Many of them will have become hooked: successful football in front of major crowds is a highly potent drug.
  • equally: However, this peptide was equally potent in inducing cell death.
  • especially: Many of these factors seem to be especially potent in small children.
  • particularly: My gran used to make a particularly potent variety.

Preposition: than

  • morphine: Morphine has an active metabolite, morphine-6-glucuronide ( M6G ), which is a major metabolite in man and is more potent than morphine.
  • dioxide: This is an explosive greenhouse gas 20 times more potent than carbon dioxide.