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
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Recent Examples of authoritative
In an era where everyone with a smartphone can share their opinions, the authoritative voice of the newspaper columnist has been drowned out by the cacophony of tweets, posts, and podcasts.
—
Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel, 14 Jan. 2025
Photograph courtesy American Genre Film Archive Since the nineteen-seventies, Jonathan Rosenbaum has been among the most influential and authoritative of film critics.
—The New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2025
Still, McGrath and the others are noticing more of a shift away from physical discipline and the tide turning toward authoritative parenting–which McGrath views as a positive development of newer generations opting to base their parenting styles on research rather than tradition.
—Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 15 Jan. 2025
In under 20 words, Grisham establishes an authoritative voice, introduces the narrator, and hints at conflict between father and son, sparking curiosity.
—G Kirilloff, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for authoritative 
Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel, 14 Jan. 2025
Photograph courtesy American Genre Film Archive Since the nineteen-seventies, Jonathan Rosenbaum has been among the most influential and authoritative of film critics.
—The New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2025
Still, McGrath and the others are noticing more of a shift away from physical discipline and the tide turning toward authoritative parenting–which McGrath views as a positive development of newer generations opting to base their parenting styles on research rather than tradition.
—Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 15 Jan. 2025
In under 20 words, Grisham establishes an authoritative voice, introduces the narrator, and hints at conflict between father and son, sparking curiosity.
—G Kirilloff, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for authoritative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for authoritative
Adjective
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Crypto Confidential: Forbes' definitive guide to crypto and blockchain, delivered to your inbox every Saturday.—
Boaz Sobrado,
Forbes,
18 Jan. 2025
-
Given that on landing its rotors broke off, that's a pretty definitive conclusion.—
David Szondy,
New Atlas,
18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The top three raters on the site—all from Denmark—logged over 50,000 different beers, evidence of how the site was influential in driving consumers to taste different beers and share them with friends near and far.—
Don Tse,
Forbes,
22 Jan. 2025
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The post has ignited backlash because Kardashian — one of the most outspoken, famous and influential women in the world — rarely speaks up about her politics and remained mum during the 2024 presidential election.—
Jay Stahl,
USA TODAY,
21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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In this paradigm, the ideal worker is less like a corporate ally or a trusted collaborator and more like a subject of an authoritarian regime.—
Anna Wiener,
The New Yorker,
27 Jan. 2025
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Over the past decade, during which the authoritarian Law and Justice party has ruled in Poland, the Centre has served as a staunch defender of independent research.—
Natalia Romik / Madę by History,
TIME,
27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Six other current nominees – Joe Bonamassa, Joyce DiDonato, Béla Fleck, Renée Fleming, Muni Long and Kelli O’Hara – are also set to perform, as is Grammy-winning contemporary classical composer Kevin Puts.—
Paul Grein,
Billboard,
29 Jan. 2025
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The designer, 41, likes to tumble together disparate references, from classical tailoring to streetwear to offbeat historical references, including Flemish Old Masters.—
Miles Socha,
WWD,
29 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The stress of being a loyal husband and father while toiling tirelessly at Spacely Space Sprockets – headed by a domineering man with a Napoleon complex – seems to float away as the zooming saucer-like aero cars with large bubble roofs leave behind popcorn-like residue from fuel pellets and radium.—
Natasha Gural,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
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The voters might want to cash in their IOU here, but something tells me the Globes have one truly trashy TV pick in them for this year and will get their Ryan Murphy on with a win for Javier Bardem as the domineering Menendez patriarch.—
Nate Jones,
Vulture,
3 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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While some might have considered the project too niche, Kyle’s intuition about the product’s appeal seems to have been accurate, with even the X Games getting a taste of the product earlier this year.—
Alexander Puutio,
Forbes,
18 Jan. 2025
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Still, Republicans have said that even if that call was accurate, the C.I.A. failed in understanding other key events: how quickly the Afghan government could collapse, how Bashar al-Assad would flee Syria and how Hamas was preparing to attack Israel.—
Julian E. Barnes,
New York Times,
18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Julie Bowen and Christopher McDonald return as love interest Virginia Venit and arrogant rival Shooter McGavin, respectively, and the cast includes rookies like Bad Bunny, Travis Kelce and pro wrestler Maxwell Jacob Friedman.—
Brian Truitt,
USA TODAY,
17 Jan. 2025
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Those include genial second-year resident Dr. King (Taylor Dearden), arrogant intern Santos (Isa Briones), and doe-eyed med students Javadi (Shabana Azeez) and Whittaker (Gerran Howell).—
Ryan Schwartz,
TVLine,
9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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These kinds of issues frequently pave the way for more comprehensive health optimization.—
Nick Kasmik,
USA TODAY,
29 Jan. 2025
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The Vatican has released a comprehensive document offering new guidelines for the ethical development and use of artificial intelligence, with a focus on areas such as warfare and healthcare.—
Quartz Intelligence Newsroom,
Quartz,
29 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near authoritative
Cite this Entry
“Authoritative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/authoritative. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
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