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
As matriarch Marcelle, Price has played similar high-emotion, authoritative figures in other local productions.
—
Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
Francis ordered the Argentine criteria published as an official act of the Vatican and wrote a letter to the bishops declaring their interpretation authoritative.
—ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
With an authoritative and rich baritone voice, Orion Samuelson delivered critical information for farmers across the Midwest during a 60-year career as WGN-AM radio’s agribusiness reporter.
—Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
As these asset classes mature, losses are starting to materialize--although getting clear, authoritative data on their performance is more challenging than in public markets.
—Kelly Evans, CNBC, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for authoritative
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Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
Francis ordered the Argentine criteria published as an official act of the Vatican and wrote a letter to the bishops declaring their interpretation authoritative.
—ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
With an authoritative and rich baritone voice, Orion Samuelson delivered critical information for farmers across the Midwest during a 60-year career as WGN-AM radio’s agribusiness reporter.
—Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
As these asset classes mature, losses are starting to materialize--although getting clear, authoritative data on their performance is more challenging than in public markets.
—Kelly Evans, CNBC, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for authoritative
Cite this Entry
“Authoritative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/authoritative. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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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