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
Your Horoscope for July: Embrace Self-Expression Aries (March 21 to April 19)
Your intuition is increasing even more like a superpower this week, Aries.
—Kyle Thomas, Peoplemag, 7 July 2024
During their time there, five of the Minions are chosen for a special mission and transformed into superhero-like Mega Minions, each with his own superpower.
—Kristina Behr, Parents, 1 July 2024
China has been deeply critical of Washington’s alliance-building efforts in the Pacific, viewing them as an attempt to halt Beijing’s rise as a military and economic superpower.
—Brad Lendon, CNN, 30 June 2024
The accords sought to lower tensions with the Soviet Union but came at the cost of implicitly recognizing that superpower’s domination of Eastern Europe.
—Frederic J. Frommer, Washington Post, 26 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for superpower 
Kyle Thomas, Peoplemag, 7 July 2024
During their time there, five of the Minions are chosen for a special mission and transformed into superhero-like Mega Minions, each with his own superpower.
—Kristina Behr, Parents, 1 July 2024
China has been deeply critical of Washington’s alliance-building efforts in the Pacific, viewing them as an attempt to halt Beijing’s rise as a military and economic superpower.
—Brad Lendon, CNN, 30 June 2024
The accords sought to lower tensions with the Soviet Union but came at the cost of implicitly recognizing that superpower’s domination of Eastern Europe.
—Frederic J. Frommer, Washington Post, 26 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for superpower
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'superpower.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near superpower
Cite this Entry
“Superpower.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/superpower. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
superpower
noun
su·per·pow·er
ˈsü-pər-ˌpau̇(-ə)r
: an extremely powerful nation
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