potent
1 of 2adjective (1)
po·tent ˈpō-tᵊnt 
1
: having or wielding force, authority, or influence : powerful
2
: achieving or bringing about a particular result : effective
3
a
: chemically or medicinally effective
a potent vaccine
b
: rich in a characteristic constituent
a potent drink
4
: able to copulate —usually used of the male
potently adverb
potent
2 of 2adjective (2)
of a heraldic cross
: having flat bars across the ends of the arms see cross illustration
Synonyms
Adjective (1)
- big
- concentrated
- full
- full-bodied
- heady
- lusty
- muscular
- plush
- rich
- robust
- strong
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Word History
Etymology
Adjective (1)
Middle English, from Latin potent-, potens (present participle of posse to be able), from Latin potis, pote able; akin to Goth brūthfaths bridegroom, Greek posis husband, Sanskrit pati master
Adjective (2)
obsolete English potent crutch
First Known Use
Adjective (1)
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Adjective (2)
circa 1586, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
potent
adjective
po·tent ˈpō-tᵊnt
1
: very effective : strong
potent medicine
2
: having power or authority
a potent ruler
Medical Definition
potent
adjective
po·tent ˈpōt-ᵊnt
1
: having force or power
2
: chemically or medicinally effective
a potent vaccine
3
: able to copulate —usually used of the male
potently
adverb
as in aggressively
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- aggressively
- assertively
- surely
- emphatically
- resolutely
- solidly
- manfully
- intensively
- determinedly
- intently
- rigidly
- soundly
- smartly
- decidedly
- purposefully
- actively
- steadily
- squarely
- steadfastly
- fast
- crisply
- powerfully
- fixedly
- briskly
- vivaciously
- spiritedly
- sharply
- fiercely
- violently
- animatedly
- strongly
- robustly
- lustily
- vehemently
- energetically
- forcefully
- eagerly
- heartily
- dynamically
- directly
- vigorously
- gamely
- explosively
- forcibly
- firmly
- muscularly
- snappily
- spunkily
- sturdily
- roughshod
- strenuously
- stoutly
- roundly
- mightily
- stiffly
- hard
- hammer and tongs
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- weakly
- gently
- delicately
- faintly
- feebly
- softly
- shakily
- languidly
- lazily
- ineffectively
- ineffectually
- halfheartedly
- frailly
- listlessly
- bloodlessly
- impotently
- lamely
- uncertainly
- spinelessly
- spiritlessly
- nervelessly