superpower
noun
su·per·pow·er
ˈsü-pər-ˌpau̇(-ə)r 
1
: excessive or superior power
2
a
: an extremely powerful nation
specifically
: one of a very few dominant states in an era when the world is divided politically into these states and their satellites
b
: an international governing body able to enforce its will upon the most powerful states
c
: an extremely powerful company, organization, etc.
The retailer hoped to become a financial services superpower …—
Patricia Sellers
Patricia Sellers3
: a power or ability (such as the ability to become invisible or to fly) of the kind possessed by superheroes : a superhuman power
The Fantastic Four first appeared in November 1961, originating with four friends who journeyed to space to thwart the Russians from getting there first. They were overwhelmed by a menacing radiation cloud and their molecular structure was altered, giving each of them superpowers.—Laura Mattoon D'Amore
Laura Mattoon D'AmoreThe superpower I've always wished for is invisibility, and I chose my vocation accordingly. A novelist gets 140,000 words per one tiny author photo. That's a visibility ratio I can live with.—Barbara Kingsolver
Barbara KingsolverExamples of superpower in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Having foreclosed the possibility of a European superpower emerging, NATO’s eastward expansion has created new interests involving weak, vulnerable states that are much harder to secure.
—Justin Logan, Foreign Affairs, 9 Aug. 2024
Now imagine being the first one to do so from a superpower populated by more than 1.4 billion people.
—Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 9 Aug. 2024
Bridgeport, a mighty seaport and manufacturing superpower, helped drive America’s industrial revolution.
—Steven Delco, Hartford Courant, 8 Aug. 2024
Her superpower lies in her ability to secure and deliver big interviews and newsmaking stories that set the news cycle and capture the cultural zeitgeist.
—CBS News, 1 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for superpower 
Justin Logan, Foreign Affairs, 9 Aug. 2024
Now imagine being the first one to do so from a superpower populated by more than 1.4 billion people.
—Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 9 Aug. 2024
Bridgeport, a mighty seaport and manufacturing superpower, helped drive America’s industrial revolution.
—Steven Delco, Hartford Courant, 8 Aug. 2024
Her superpower lies in her ability to secure and deliver big interviews and newsmaking stories that set the news cycle and capture the cultural zeitgeist.
—CBS News, 1 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for superpower
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Dictionary Entries Near superpower
Cite this Entry
“Superpower.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/superpower. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
superpower
noun
su·per·pow·er
ˈsü-pər-ˌpau̇(-ə)r
: an extremely powerful nation
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