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

This claim prompted several European and American statesmen to create an organization to monitor the world’s crisis spots, issue authoritative reports on events and trends, and propose solutions before conflicts broke out. —John T. Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026

Her voice was clear and authoritative, like an oracle’s. —David Sedaris, New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2026

Unlike authoritative declarations of truth, fiction has no obligation to dispel ambiguity. —Literary Hub, 20 Feb. 2026

The temperamental Moon joins authoritative Saturn in your 9th House of Travel and Learning, urging you to balance bold opinions with realistic limits. —Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 19 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