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

Synonyms of authoritative

• definitive
• classical
• accurate
• comprehensive
• classic
• magisterial
• official

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

The essay, included in Arendt’s epoch-making 1951 book, The Origins of Totalitarianism, would profoundly influence some of the most authoritative scholars of modern France. —Literary Hub, 17 Feb. 2026

Use an authoritative parenting style According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), using an authoritative parenting style is the best way to raise confident, secure, grounded kids. —Cynthia Hanson, Parents, 17 Feb. 2026

Your 10th House of Career and Status gains focus as authoritative Saturn arrives there. —Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026

My thinking ultimately derived from my response to Slate and NPR’s new Black film canon project, which was an authoritative list of 50 films. —Zac Ntim, Deadline, 11 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

authority + -ative

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for authoritative

• accommodative
• accumulative
• adjudicative
• administrative
• agglutinative
• ameliorative
• appreciative
• assimilative
• associative
• collaborative
• cooperative
• deliberative

Kids Definition

authoritative

adjective

au·​thor·​i·​ta·​tive ə-ˈthär-ə-ˌtāt-iv 

ȯ-, 

-ˈthȯr-

: having or coming from authority

authoritatively adverb

authoritativeness noun