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

• classic
• classical
• definitive
• magisterial

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

That’s the essential message of an authoritative new study that appeared just as this year’s fire season got started, the report indicating death tolls from smoke clouds caused by past blazes have been exponentially higher than previously reported. —Thomas Elias, The Mercury News, 12 July 2024

This experiment leverages artificial intelligence to help our users discover and explore our authoritative climate reporting. —Washpostpr, Washington Post, 9 July 2024

Or maybe Michael Malone would feel content using Westbrook heavily with the second unit as an authoritative floor general. —Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 8 July 2024

Though the charismatic superstar will presumably operate without many of the visual effects and mobile props that help make her arena shows spectacles, her hurricane-strength pipes and authoritative deliveries don’t require anything more than a microphone. —Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

authority + -ative

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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