potent
adj.adj. having a very strong effect on your body or mind. You use this to describe things like medicine, smells, or even a powerful argument.
adj. having great power, influence, or effect. Often describes chemical substances, arguments, or symbols that produce a significant impact.
The medicine is very potent, so only take a small dose.
The documentary was a potent reminder of how much the climate has changed in fifty years.
The lawyer's closing statement was so potent that it shifted the jury's perspective despite the overwhelming physical evidence presented earlier in the week.
From Middle English potent, borrowed from Latin potens, potentis (“powerful, strong, potent”), present participle of posse (“to be able”), from potis (“able, powerful, originally a lord, master”).
Commonly modifies nouns related to chemicals (drugs, alcohol) or abstract influence (symbols, arguments).