authoritative
adjective
au·thor·i·ta·tive
ə-ˈthȯr-ə-ˌtā-tiv 
ȯ-,
-ˈthär-
1
: having, marked by, or proceeding from authority
authoritative church doctrines
an authoritative decision
an authoritative manner
2
: possessing recognized or evident authority : clearly accurate or knowledgeable
an authoritative critique
an authoritative source of information
authoritatively
adverb
authoritativeness
noun
Examples of authoritative in a Sentence
The book is an authoritative guide to the city's restaurants.
His manner is polite but authoritative.
She addressed the group with an authoritative voice.
Recent Examples on the Web
Since the fragmentation of the comics distribution system in 2020 and 2021, authoritative sales data at the distributor level has been harder to come by.
—
Rob Salkowitz, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024
No single person or entity like a bank would be in charge of keeping what would be considered the authoritative record.
—Laura Shin, TIME, 29 Oct. 2024
Relatedly, the 46-year-old operated with the authoritative confidence, innate effortlessness and unruffled smoothness of an artist who knows his mix of talent, staying power and legacy constitute a rarity in the world of modern R&B.
—Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2024
Did those warnings from authoritative sources — eminent figures Trump once appointed to high-ranking jobs — have any effect on his voters as election day approaches?
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World & Nation
Column: The presidential race won’t be over on election night.
—Doyle McManus, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for authoritative 
Rob Salkowitz, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024
No single person or entity like a bank would be in charge of keeping what would be considered the authoritative record.
—Laura Shin, TIME, 29 Oct. 2024
Relatedly, the 46-year-old operated with the authoritative confidence, innate effortlessness and unruffled smoothness of an artist who knows his mix of talent, staying power and legacy constitute a rarity in the world of modern R&B.
—Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2024
Did those warnings from authoritative sources — eminent figures Trump once appointed to high-ranking jobs — have any effect on his voters as election day approaches?
Advertisement
World & Nation
Column: The presidential race won’t be over on election night.
—Doyle McManus, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for authoritative
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'authoritative.' 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 authoritative
Cite this Entry
“Authoritative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/authoritative. Accessed 2 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
authoritative
adjective
au·thor·i·ta·tive
ə-ˈthär-ə-ˌtāt-iv
ȯ-,
-ˈthȯr-
: having or coming from authority
authoritatively
adverb
authoritativeness
noun
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