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

• 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

And, when those models are grounded in authoritative case law and tax policy information that’s been curated and vetted by attorneys and CPAs, the accuracy and consistency of results is unmatched. —Laura Clayton McDonnell, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025

Stricter parenting styles include authoritative or authoritarian styles. —​wendy Wisner, Parents, 19 Aug. 2025

Making use of both anchors in such fashion would put an authoritative person in the field and the studio, this person suggested, while giving the newscast the ability to deliver breaking news at the top of the broadcast. —Brian Steinberg, Variety, 17 Aug. 2025

Washington delivers the dialogue with a thrilling range from purrs to roars, all imbued with an authoritative swagger. —Richard Brody, New Yorker, 15 Aug. 2025

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