potentially

adverb

po·​ten·​tial·​ly pə-ˈten(t)-sh(ə-)lē How to pronounce potentially (audio)
: in a potential or possible state or condition
used to describe the possible results or effects of something
a potentially dangerous situation [=a situation that has the potential to be or become dangerous]
a potentially useful feature
By creating a personal home page, anyone can publish material that potentially can be read by millions of people worldwide.Peter H. Lewis
The phenomenon seemed significant for both the science of immunology and, potentially, for medicine.Daniel J. Kevles
Potentially adding to the cost of the bail-out is the prevailing FDIC notion that some banks are simply too big to fail.L. J. Davis
The result, they say, is that children are less compelled to play outside, potentially stunting emotional and physical development and exacerbating a nationwide epidemic of childhood obesity.Sumathi Reddy

Examples of potentially in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Even ahead of Milton's arrival, a potentially deadly storm surge of 10-15 feet is possible for Tampa and other coastal communities Tuesday through Wednesday night, according to the NHC. Alexis Simmerman, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024 Whooping cough — a highly contagious and potentially dangerous illness — has surged in California this year, staging a comeback to levels not seen since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2024 Freezing can cause the cornstarch in the pudding mix to break down, potentially impacting the stability. Tricia Manzanero Stuedeman, Southern Living, 22 Nov. 2024 Simulating Driving Environments Developing and testing autonomous vehicles in real-world scenarios is a time-consuming, costly and potentially dangerous process. Salice Thomas, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for potentially 

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of potentially was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near potentially

Cite this Entry

“Potentially.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/potentially. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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