authority figure
noun
: a person who has authority over another person
A child needs an authority figure in his or her life.
Examples of authority figure in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Still, its square to Pluto on April 3 could create friction at work, or intensify the dynamic between you and an authority figure.
—
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
Born in Michigan, Tolkan served in the Navy before studying at the Actors Studio, eventually becoming Hollywood’s go-to stern authority figure for decades.
—Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2026
Instead, first-time director Fergus Campbell drops us directly into Cleo’s world — no parents, no rules and every authority figure is obscured, like the unintelligible adults in Peanuts cartoons.
—Jourdain Searles, HollywoodReporter, 20 Mar. 2026
This could be in response to talking to a boss or an authority figure.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for authority figure
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Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
Born in Michigan, Tolkan served in the Navy before studying at the Actors Studio, eventually becoming Hollywood’s go-to stern authority figure for decades.
—Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2026
Instead, first-time director Fergus Campbell drops us directly into Cleo’s world — no parents, no rules and every authority figure is obscured, like the unintelligible adults in Peanuts cartoons.
—Jourdain Searles, HollywoodReporter, 20 Mar. 2026
This could be in response to talking to a boss or an authority figure.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for authority figure
Cite this Entry
“Authority figure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/authority%20figure. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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