authoritative

authoritative

adjective

Definition of AUTHORITATIVE

1

being the most accurate and apparently thorough <this book is considered the most authoritative source on that subject>

Synonyms authoritative, classic, classical, magisterial

Related Words conclusive, decisive; approved, official, sanctioned; accurate, correct; complete, comprehensive, exhaustive, thorough

2

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 authoritative, forceful, weighty

Related Words cogent, controlling, dominating, masterful; dominant, predominant, regnant, sovereign (also sovran), supreme; eminent, important, momentous

Near Antonyms helpless, impotent, powerless, weak; incapable, unable

3

fond of ordering people around <she's very authoritative for someone who doesn't actually outrank us>

Synonyms authoritarian, authoritative, autocratic (also autocratical), despotic, dictatorial, domineering, imperious, masterful, overbearing, peremptory, tyrannical (also tyrannic), tyrannous

Related Words arrogant, assumptive, disdainful, fastuous, haughty, highfalutin (also hifalutin), high-and-mighty, high-hat, huffy, important, lofty, lordly, overweening, presuming, presumptuous, pretentious, proud, self-asserting, supercilious, superior, toplofty (also toploftical), uppish, uppity; commanding, controlling, dictating, regimental; arbitrary, high-handed, imperial; directorial, magisterial; aggressive, assertive, self-assertive; imperative; conceited, narcissistic, pompous, vain; all-powerful, almighty, omnipotent; firm, stern

Near Antonyms humble, meek, modest, unassuming; amenable, docile, obedient, tractable; indecisive, irresolute; acquiescent, compliant, passive, resigned, submissive, yielding