figure of authority

noun phrase

: a person who has authority over another person : a person who has the power to give orders or make decisions

A child needs a figure of authority in his or her life.

Examples of figure of authority in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Club president Florentino Perez favours him, Madrid are desperate for a figure of authority, and Mourinho’s ego must love the thought of climbing back into the big time. — Phil Hay, New York Times, 11 May 2026

What patients want is not a figure of authority but a relationship that is deeper than the uniform, since the journey of care—especially for cancer patients—can be both long and of uncertain outcome. — Stephen J. Forman, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Nov. 2025

Cross serves the town of Eddington as a useless figure of authority—a shiftless, asthmatic grump who mumbles complaints at lawbreakers and halfheartedly manages a staff of cops at his office. — David Sims, The Atlantic, 23 July 2025

In this case, America was not a figure of authority — merely a good excuse. — Mihir Sharma, Twin Cities, 14 May 2025

The stereotypical permissive parents are the ones who see themselves as their children's friend, and not a figure of authority. — Marisa Lascala, Good Housekeeping, 28 June 2023

Rhymes for figure of authority

• exteriority
• inferiority
• superiority
• majority
• minority
• priority
• seniority
• sonority
• sorority