potentially

[ puh-ten-shuh-lee ]

/ pəˈtɛn ʃə li /

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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR potentially ON THESAURUS.COM

adverb

possibly but not yet actually: potentially useful information.

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RELATED WORDS

possibly, likely, probably, maybe, imaginably

Nearby words

potential energy, potential gradient, potential well, potential, electric, potentiality, potentially, potentiate, potentilla, potentiometer, potentiometric, potentiometric surface

Origin of potentially

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; see origin at potential, -ly

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for potentially

Buzzfeed shows us a potentially terrifying glimpse of the future.
Use Your Brain—Control a Drone|The Daily Beast Video|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The Eighty-ninth Congress was potentially more fertile ground for the broad range of controversial programs on his dream agenda.
Thank Congress, Not LBJ for Great Society|Julian Zelizer, Scott Porch|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Less than six hours later, the FARC potentially came good on the challenge.
Did The U.S.-Cuba Deal Help Drive A Rebel Ceasefire in Colombia?|Richard McColl|December 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It has to be said that Dunham includes characteristics that do make “Barry” potentially identifiable.
The Right's Rape Trolls vs. Lena Dunham|Emily Shire|December 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Embracing those fleeing war in the Middle East would come at a high political, economic, and (potentially) public health cost.
Pope Bids Refugees to EU ‘Bienvenido’; Europe Says ‘Non’|Candida Moss|November 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Matter is potentially substance; after it assumes a form it becomes actual substance.
A History of Mediaeval Jewish Philosophy|Isaac Husik
Reduced to personal exploitation, it is property only potentially.
What is Property?|P. J. Proudhon
I still remain the sinner, fundamentally and potentially at every step the sinner.
The Prodigal Returns|Lilian Staveley
Man is potentially capable of receiving them in a certain manner.
A History of Mediaeval Jewish Philosophy|Isaac Husik
To say so, however, would be to admit that in totemism there was something not only 'mystic' but potentially religious.
Recent Developments in European Thought|Various