magisterial

adjective

mag·​is·​te·​ri·​al ˌma-jə-ˈstir-ē-əl 

1

a(1)

: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of a master or teacher : authoritative

(2)

: marked by an overbearingly dignified or assured manner or aspect

b

: of, relating to, or required for a master's degree

2

: of or relating to a magistrate or a magistrate's office or duties

magisterially

ˌma-jə-ˈstir-ē-ə-lē 

adverb

Synonyms of magisterial

• authoritative

Choose the Right Synonym for magisterial

dictatorial, magisterial, dogmatic, doctrinaire, oracular mean imposing one's will or opinions on others.

dictatorial stresses autocratic, high-handed methods and a domineering manner.

exercised dictatorial control over the office

magisterial stresses assumption or use of prerogatives appropriate to a magistrate or schoolmaster in forcing acceptance of one's opinions.

the magisterial tone of his pronouncements

dogmatic implies being unduly and offensively positive in laying down principles and expressing opinions.

dogmatic about what is art and what is not

doctrinaire implies a disposition to follow abstract theories in framing laws or policies affecting people.

a doctrinaire approach to improving the economy

oracular implies the manner of one who delivers opinions in cryptic phrases or with pompous dogmatism.

a designer who is the oracular voice of fashion

Examples of magisterial in a Sentence

He spoke with a magisterial tone.

a magisterial biography of Thomas Jefferson that has never been superseded

Recent Examples on the Web

With this reinvention, the show morphed from a workplace drama into something more like a magisterial airport novel. —Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2026

But the magisterial opera composer Franz Schreker was shattered by the events of 1933 and died of a stroke the following year. —Alex Ross, New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2026

That magisterial black cardigan of his is about the hippest thing going, and, laudably, that it’s got to be some real fox lining the lapels and collar of that jacket. —Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026

Passmore’s magisterial, revisionist account of the Maginot Line—the network of French fortifications built in the 1920s and 1930s to stop a German invasion—challenges the conventional understanding of its role in World War II. —Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin magisterialis of authority, from magisterium office of a master, from magister

First Known Use

1635, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Rhymes for magisterial

• immaterial
• managerial
• ministerial
• nonmaterial
• presbyterial
• antibacterial
• biomaterial
• mycobacterial
• arterial
• bacterial
• ethereal
• funereal

Kids Definition

magisterial

adjective

mag·​is·​te·​ri·​al ˌmaj-ə-ˈstir-ē-əl 

1

: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of a master or teacher

2

: of or relating to a magistrate or the office or duties of a magistrate

magisterially

-ē-ə-lē 

adverb