1
as in definitive
being the most accurate and apparently thorough
this book is considered the most authoritative source on that subject
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in influential
having power over the minds or behavior of others
after a couple of authoritative critics panned the movie, the other reviewers rushed to say how awful it was
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in authoritarian
fond of ordering people around
she's very authoritative for someone who doesn't actually outrank us
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of authoritative
Its methodology, developed by Silver during his time at 538, adjusts for polling house effects and sample types, making it among the most authoritative sources of U.S. political data.
—
Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025
He’s made an instant impression with his authoritative physical play, solid four-way mobility and precocious all-around play.
—Harman Dayal, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
Leadership is often associated with grand speeches, authoritative presence and a commanding voice.
—Mohammad Bahareth, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
There are lots of ways to be an authoritative parent, which can leave moms and dads (but mostly moms) feeling rudderless.
—Gail Cornwall, The Atlantic, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for authoritative
Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025
He’s made an instant impression with his authoritative physical play, solid four-way mobility and precocious all-around play.
—Harman Dayal, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
Leadership is often associated with grand speeches, authoritative presence and a commanding voice.
—Mohammad Bahareth, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
There are lots of ways to be an authoritative parent, which can leave moms and dads (but mostly moms) feeling rudderless.
—Gail Cornwall, The Atlantic, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for authoritative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for authoritative
Adjective
-
Crypto Confidential: Forbes' definitive guide to crypto and blockchain, delivered to your inbox every Saturday.—
Andrea Tinianow,
Forbes.com,
10 Apr. 2025
-
For instance, under both the Biden and Trump administrations, certain tattoos have been seen as near definitive signs of TdA membership.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Two influential New York City labor unions that backed Mayor Eric Adams in 2021 switched their support on Monday to former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, reflecting his growing dominance as the race for mayor accelerates.—
Nicholas Fandos,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
-
The Obama operatives have held control or at a minimum been highly influential in the Democratic Party’s 2016, 2020 and 2024 campaigns.—
Amie Parnes,
The Hill,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
His parents were Italian immigrants who fled Benito Mussolini’s fascist regime, and his grandmother Rosa Margherita Vassallo di Bergoglio was active in Catholic Action, formed by Italian bishops who wanted to maintain their independence from Mussolini’s authoritarian rule.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
21 Apr. 2025
-
Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban has been called an authoritarian, and previous reports have noted restrictions to civil liberties.—
Graham Smith,
NPR,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
And the exterior of the building, with its classical facade and copper-toned cupola, is stunning, its style only heightened as the city and its buildings have changed around it.—
Miguel Otárola,
Denver Post,
22 Apr. 2025
-
In this dangerous setting, the United States will need to rediscover diplomacy in its classical form—not as a bag carrier for an all-powerful military or as a purveyor of global norms, but as a hard-nosed instrument of strategy.—
A. Wess Mitchell,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
As mild-mannered schoolteacher Mr. Lisbon, James Woods plays a quiet counterpoint to his domineering wife.—
Sezin Devi Koehler,
EW.com,
21 Apr. 2025
-
Among them towers the frighteningly domineering Honoria Glossop.—
Michael Hiltzik,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Garland handed the character work of directing to Mendoza to honor the project’s one abiding rule: sticking without exception to an utterly accurate recounting.—
Fred Schruers,
IndieWire,
10 Apr. 2025
-
But the ability to navigate this uncertainty depends on high-quality, accurate data—particularly supplier master data—which is easier said than done.—
Sarah Jones,
Sourcing Journal,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Ava Daniels is a young comedy writer who is unable to find work due to an insensitive tweet and her reputation for being self-centered and arrogant.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
-
And the villains, of course, exuding every nastily relatable emotion; the stepmothers and sorceresses are vain, arrogant, dismissive, lonely, rude, and outrageous.—
Darren Franich,
Vulture,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
All hiring and related data shall be shared with the federal government and subjected to a comprehensive audit by the federal government during the period in which reforms are being implemented, which shall be at least until the end of 2028.—
Kayla Jimenez,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2025
-
Scientists with the forensic genetic genealogy lab based in Texas were able to build a comprehensive genetic profile using existing data for the then-unknown woman and ultimately found her identity.—
Audrey Conklin,
FOXNews.com,
23 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Authoritative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/authoritative. Accessed 26 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share