Potent

a. [Lat. potens, p. pr. of posse, to be able, to have power, from potis, able, capable, and esse, to be; It. & Sp. potente.] 1. Physically strong; forcible; powerful; efficacious; as, a potent medicine. Moses once more his potent rod extends. Milton.

2. Having great authority, control, or dominion; as, a potent prince. Shak.
3. Powerful, in a moral sense; having great influence; as, potent interest; a potent argument. “Liberty of religion, that most potent of all the elements of freedom.” I. Taylor.

Syn.—Powerful; mighty; puissant; strong; able; efficient; forcible; efficacious; cogent; influential.