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
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
And, in a pact similar to the one CNN has entered, CNBC struck a deal with Cisco in 2010 that showed how the technology company’s TelePresence networking equipment helped the news outlet bring authoritative sources to the screen.
—
Brian Steinberg, Variety, 10 Nov. 2025
Meanwhile, up north, the 6-2 Seahawks are coming off an authoritative victory over the Washington Commanders last week and will try to extend their win streak to four games and hang onto their spot atop the division.
—Mike Jones, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
This will be followed by Maltin interviewing New Orleans resident Bruce Spizer, who has written more than a dozen authoritative books chronicling The Beatles.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2025
But having the goods to back up your inflammatory beliefs is hardly the point of Grokipedia, a platform simply meant to appear authoritative in its own right.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for authoritative
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Brian Steinberg, Variety, 10 Nov. 2025
Meanwhile, up north, the 6-2 Seahawks are coming off an authoritative victory over the Washington Commanders last week and will try to extend their win streak to four games and hang onto their spot atop the division.
—Mike Jones, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
This will be followed by Maltin interviewing New Orleans resident Bruce Spizer, who has written more than a dozen authoritative books chronicling The Beatles.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2025
But having the goods to back up your inflammatory beliefs is hardly the point of Grokipedia, a platform simply meant to appear authoritative in its own right.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for authoritative
Cite this Entry
“Authoritative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/authoritative. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
authoritative
adjective
au·thor·i·ta·tive
ə-ˈthär-ə-ˌtāt-iv
ȯ-,
-ˈthȯr-
: having or coming from authority
authoritatively
adverb
authoritativeness
noun
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