1
as in experts
a person with a high level of knowledge or skill in a field
the leading authority on neural anatomy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in governments
lawful control over the affairs of a political unit (as a nation)
the sheriff had authority over the whole county
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in influences
the power to direct the thinking or behavior of others usually indirectly
speaks with a persuasive authority on matters of public health
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in powers
the right or means to command or control others
by the authority vested in me, I now pronounce you married
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in reasons
something (as a belief) that serves as the basis for another thing
I had good authority to believe that the information was correct
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in sources
something mentioned in a text as providing related and especially supporting information
the Bible is the sole authority for his impassioned defense of creationism
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of authorities
Her husband died about a week later of heart disease with complications from Alzheimer’s, authorities said.
—
Allison Kiehl, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026
The authorities are starting to work.
—Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 9 May 2026
Home internet and Wi-Fi will be unaffected, authorities said.
—ABC News, 8 May 2026
The 1-year-old was flown to Parkland Hospital with serious injuries, according to authorities.
—Doug Myers, CBS News, 8 May 2026
Walton then allegedly fled at a high rate of speed without contacting authorities.
—Stepheny Price , Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 2 May 2026
The parents of Celeste Rivas Hernandez were cleared of allegations of child neglect and abuse in the months before authorities say the teenager was murdered and dismembered by singer D4vd, who now faces a possible death sentence for the slaying.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 1 May 2026
Over the past month, many people have taken to Chinese social media to share their own dim sum reviews and praise authorities for helping preserve the handmade tradition.
—Chris Lau, CNN Money, 1 May 2026
Bellish temporarily evaded authorities by making a sudden U-turn and accelerating directly at the pursuing motorcycle deputy.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
Allison Kiehl, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026
The authorities are starting to work.
—Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 9 May 2026
Home internet and Wi-Fi will be unaffected, authorities said.
—ABC News, 8 May 2026
The 1-year-old was flown to Parkland Hospital with serious injuries, according to authorities.
—Doug Myers, CBS News, 8 May 2026
Walton then allegedly fled at a high rate of speed without contacting authorities.
—Stepheny Price , Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 2 May 2026
The parents of Celeste Rivas Hernandez were cleared of allegations of child neglect and abuse in the months before authorities say the teenager was murdered and dismembered by singer D4vd, who now faces a possible death sentence for the slaying.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 1 May 2026
Over the past month, many people have taken to Chinese social media to share their own dim sum reviews and praise authorities for helping preserve the handmade tradition.
—Chris Lau, CNN Money, 1 May 2026
Bellish temporarily evaded authorities by making a sudden U-turn and accelerating directly at the pursuing motorcycle deputy.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for authorities
Noun
-
Some experts recommend keeping your AC no more than 20°F cooler than outdoor temperatures to maximize system efficiency without sacrificing comfort.—
Nafeesah Allen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 May 2026
-
That’s led to a stark split between Wall Street analysts and energy experts, who have been warning that oil supplies could head off a cliff in the coming months or even weeks, dragging the global economy down in the process.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
However, rights groups, including Global Witness, have long urged jewelers to avoid buying Burmese gemstones, saying the trade helps fund the country's military governments, according to The Associated Press.—
Sophia Compton,
FOXNews.com,
11 May 2026
-
And that country governments rise to the co-investment challenge in ways that produce durable self-reliance.—
Jesse Pines,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
Like almost all modern iterations of music, the genre of Catalan rumba has evolved alongside streaming-era influences and the younger generations of musicians who have taken up its sonic essences and distilled them through their own lenses.—
Chris Barilla,
PEOPLE,
8 May 2026
-
The trailer blends European fantasy with Japanese animation influences.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
By design Congress is supposed to serve as a check on the executive branch through budgetary, legislative and oversight powers.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 May 2026
-
The step aims to reduce the country’s dependence on foreign powers for high-thrust engines.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
With the exception of the punitive visit to the bank, Suzanna’s grandmother does not discuss her daughter’s crime or her reasons for committing it.—
James Wood,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
The government exists to create the environment where these technologies can help Californians to flourish, not limit them for sometimes political reasons, which is always overreach.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
The sources spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss confidential negotiations.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2026
-
But sources inside the island involved in delivering the aid, who asked not to be named for fear of retaliation, said the Catholic Church’s infrastructure would not be able to handle a massive influx of humanitarian aid.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
Other Democrats and some legal scholars have expressed similar concerns.—
Andrew Chung,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
-
But legal scholars and redistricting experts say the ruling could also have consequences in California’s city hall, school board and county supervisor races.—
Ana Ceballos
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
As the United Kingdom works to make online spaces safer for children through age verification methods, kids are finding creative ways to skirt the rules, including drawing on facial hair to dupe facial recognition systems.—
Drew Pittock,
USA Today,
10 May 2026
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One of the simplest rules for a quieter stay is to choose a cabin surrounded by other guest accommodation.—
David Nikel,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Authorities.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/authorities. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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