Synonyms of authority

authority

noun

ə-ˈthȯr-ə-tē 

1

as in expert

a person with a high level of knowledge or skill in a field

the leading authority on neural anatomy

Synonyms & Similar Words

• expert
• master
• scholar
• adept
• virtuoso
• guru
• wizard
• artist
• specialist
• maestro
• consultant
• proficient
• past master
• professional
• ace
• hand
• geek
• hotshot
• connoisseur
• fiend
• maven
• whiz
• shark
• dab hand
• crackerjack
• enthusiast
• meister
• sharp
• craftsman
• crackajack
• mavin
• cognoscente
• dab
• pro
• fan
• hired gun
• addict
• devotee
• mistress
• buff
• journeyman
• aficionado
• Renaissance man
• afficionado
• jack-of-all-trades
• all-rounder

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• amateur
• apprentice
• novice
• beginner
• nonexpert
• neophyte
• layman
• inexpert
• dilettante
• dabbler
• nonprofessional

2

as in government

lawful control over the affairs of a political unit (as a nation)

the sheriff had authority over the whole county

Synonyms & Similar Words

• government
• rule
• administration
• governance
• jurisdiction
• regime
• power
• sovereignty
• leadership
• reign
• régime
• dictatorship
• regimen
• dominion
• tyranny
• management
• domination
• supremacy
• oppression
• supervision
• regulation
• sway
• command
• superintendence
• direction
• hegemony
• mastery
• autocracy
• subjugation
• sovranty

3

as in influence

the power to direct the thinking or behavior of others usually indirectly

speaks with a persuasive authority on matters of public health

Synonyms & Similar Words

• influence
• sway
• leverage
• credit
• clout
• importance
• in
• weight
• pull
• juice
• sovereignty
• dominion
• heft
• dominance
• supremacy
• mastery
• command
• reign
• predominance
• impression
• eminence
• impact
• impress
• moment
• counterinfluence
• consequence
• scepter
• imprint
• sovranty
• mark

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• weakness
• helplessness
• impotence
• powerlessness
• impotency

4

as in power

the right or means to command or control others

by the authority vested in me, I now pronounce you married

Synonyms & Similar Words

• power
• dominion
• control
• sway
• reign
• jurisdiction
• sovereignty
• command
• mastery
• influence
• grip
• arm
• rein(s)
• privilege
• clutch
• dominance
• death grip
• management
• clout
• hold
• voice
• leverage
• prerogative
• supremacy
• direction
• importance
• right
• pull
• predominance
• eminence
• weight
• imperium
• sovranty
• moment

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• impotence
• powerlessness
• weakness
• helplessness
• impotency

5

as in reason

something (as a belief) that serves as the basis for another thing

I had good authority to believe that the information was correct

Synonyms & Similar Words

• reason
• grounds
• motive
• subject
• why
• cause
• consideration
• account
• incentive
• impetus
• inspiration
• wherefore
• antecedent
• stimulus
• occasion
• instigation

6

as in source

something mentioned in a text as providing related and especially supporting information

the Bible is the sole authority for his impassioned defense of creationism

Synonyms & Similar Words

• source
• reference
• citation
• quotation
• extract
• excerpt
• footnote
• caption
• cross-reference
• note

7

as in effectiveness

the capacity to persuade

a strict grammarian whose pronouncements carried plenty of authority with my third-grade English teacher

Synonyms & Similar Words

• effectiveness
• conclusiveness
• validity
• strength
• credibility
• persuasiveness
• power
• forcefulness
• cogency
• persuasion
• force
• soundness
• convincingness
• influence
• appeal
• impact
• suasiveness
• weight
• believability
• might
• authoritativeness
• punch
• definitiveness
• sway
• seductiveness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ineffectiveness
• invalidity
• inconclusiveness
• unsoundness
• ineffectuality
• powerlessness
• ineffectualness
• weakness
• shakiness
• feebleness

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun authority contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of authority are command, control, dominion, jurisdiction, power, and sway. While all these words mean "the right to govern or rule or determine," authority implies power for a specific purpose within specified limits.

granted the authority to manage her estate

When is command a more appropriate choice than authority?

While the synonyms command and authority are close in meaning, command implies the power to make arbitrary decisions and compel obedience.

the army officer in command

When would control be a good substitute for authority?

The meanings of control and authority largely overlap; however, control stresses the power to direct and restrain.

you are responsible for the students under your control

When might dominion be a better fit than authority?

The words dominion and authority can be used in similar contexts, but dominion stresses sovereign power or supreme authority.

given dominion over all the animals

When can jurisdiction be used instead of authority?

In some situations, the words jurisdiction and authority are roughly equivalent. However, jurisdiction applies to official power exercised within prescribed limits.

the bureau having jurisdiction over parks

In what contexts can power take the place of authority?

The words power and authority are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, power implies possession of ability to wield force, authority, or influence.

the power to mold public opinion

When could sway be used to replace authority?

The synonyms sway and authority are sometimes interchangeable, but sway suggests the extent of exercised power or influence.

the empire extended its sway over the region

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of authority

The administration argued the removals stemmed from sensitive negotiations with El Salvador, placing them firmly within the president’s diplomatic authority. —Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 30 Mar. 2025

Thai authorities said the quake and aftershocks were felt in most of the country's provinces. —Arkansas Online, 30 Mar. 2025

Khalilzad had been in the Afghan capital earlier this month on a rare visit by U.S. officials to meet Taliban authorities, accompanying U.S. hostage envoy Adam Boehler. —CBS News, 29 Mar. 2025

In 1992, Congress passed a law requiring the government to release all of its records about the assassination by October 2017, while giving the president the authority to withhold records for national security reasons. —Stefan Becket, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2025