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
Malcolm was critiquing America’s systemic oppression, not supporting an alt right, authoritative agenda like Donald Trump is representing.
—
Curtis Bunn, NBC News, 17 Oct. 2024
In the case of Japanese whiskies, however, the Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition results are far more authoritative.
—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024
Her sister Maha died six months later, according to several authoritative sources.
—Heidi Blake, The New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2024
Thirty-six percent of Palestinians currently support Hamas, per the authoritative Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research (PCPSR) poll — nearly twice as high as the support for their more moderate rival Fatah (21 percent).
—Zack Beauchamp, Vox, 4 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for authoritative 
Curtis Bunn, NBC News, 17 Oct. 2024
In the case of Japanese whiskies, however, the Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition results are far more authoritative.
—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024
Her sister Maha died six months later, according to several authoritative sources.
—Heidi Blake, The New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2024
Thirty-six percent of Palestinians currently support Hamas, per the authoritative Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research (PCPSR) poll — nearly twice as high as the support for their more moderate rival Fatah (21 percent).
—Zack Beauchamp, Vox, 4 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for authoritative
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'authoritative.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near authoritative
Cite this Entry
“Authoritative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/authoritative. Accessed 22 Oct. 2024.
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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