as in possible
existing only as a possibility and not in fact
I can see a few potential problems with co-owning a beach house with another couple
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in possibility
something that can develop or become actual
a time when cloning was merely a potential and the stuff of science fiction
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of potential
Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025
Chelsea are very excited by his potential and significant minutes in the Conference League — coupled with his regular presence in first-team training at Cobham — should aid his progress.
—Liam Twomey, New York Times, 14 May 2025
Stacy Perman, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025
Gene therapy has always held enormous promise to correct genetic diseases, but turning that potential into treatments has been challenging.
—Alice Park, Time, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for potential
Adjective
The Child Tax Credit has proven its potential impact on the national economy as well.
—Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025
Chelsea are very excited by his potential and significant minutes in the Conference League — coupled with his regular presence in first-team training at Cobham — should aid his progress.
—Liam Twomey, New York Times, 14 May 2025
Noun
For a small, slim margin business like Guittard, tariffs have the potential to wreak havoc, as prices are expected to rise even more, creating fresh uncertainties for manufacturers that depend on materials from abroad.
—Stacy Perman, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025
Gene therapy has always held enormous promise to correct genetic diseases, but turning that potential into treatments has been challenging.
—Alice Park, Time, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for potential
Recent Examples of Synonyms for potential
Adjective
-
Those two will take on the Mitchell and Garland assignments and will need to be as disruptive as possible.—
Tony East,
Forbes.com,
4 May 2025
-
Rodriguez’s ruling not only blocked their removal but also approved class certification for all possible deportees in the Southern District of Texas — a move legal experts say is highly unusual in this type of immigration case.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
3 May 2025
Noun
-
He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.—
Emily Blackwood,
People.com,
17 May 2025
-
Transformational communication yields opportunities and possibilities.—
Wyles Daniel,
USA Today,
17 May 2025
Noun
-
The beginning of the Trump administration has seen both sides begin to entertain the prospect of both limited and total ceasefires publicly.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
3 May 2025
-
Anthony, The Athletic’s No. 1 prospect, has played all three outfield positions and is hitting .292 with a .938 OPS in 27 games.—
Jen McCaffrey,
New York Times,
3 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Potential.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/potential. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share