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

Synonyms

• classic
• classical
• definitive
• magisterial

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? Advertisement World & Nation Column: The presidential race won’t be over on election night. —Doyle McManus, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

authority + -ative

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

authoritative

adjective

au·​thor·​i·​ta·​tive ə-ˈthär-ə-ˌtāt-iv 

ȯ-,

-ˈthȯr-

: having or coming from authority

authoritatively adverb

authoritativeness noun