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

• 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a magisterial biography of Thomas Jefferson that has never been superseded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

Twain’s narrative boasts some—discrepancies is too magisterial a word … peculiarities, say. —Caity Weaver, The Atlantic, 5 June 2025

Copy Facebook Pinterest Photo by An Rong Xu From my airplane window, the Pearl River unfurled from fogged mountains in a glossy, pale-blue ribbon, a magisterial curve of water that defined the landscape with its flow. —Bonnie Tsui, AFAR Media, 6 May 2025

And currently, there is Charles Gaines’ magisterial new works, Numbers and Trees, The Tanzania Baobabs, at Hauser & Wirth West Hollywood (on view through May 31, 2025). —Tom Teicholz, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025

Image Memento Mori by Muriel Spark Few writers were as capable of scalpel-sharp dissection of the rich as the Scottish novelist Muriel Spark, whose magisterial social satires remain relevant even half a century later. —Calum Marsh, New York Times, 7 Apr. 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