1
as in expert
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 government
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 influence
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 power
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 reason
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
7
as in effectiveness
the capacity to persuade
a strict grammarian whose pronouncements carried plenty of authority with my third-grade English teacher
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of authority
Travis Decker, a 32-year-old man from Pewaukee accused of killing his three daughters in Washington in June, has been confirmed dead by DNA testing, authorities say.
—
Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 26 Sep. 2025
Two Miami men were killed by an apparent lightning strike during a hunting trip in Highlands County in Central Florida, authorities said.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 26 Sep. 2025
The proposal to restrict PFAS in the EU was prepared by authorities in Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden and submitted to ECHA in January 2023.
—Jennifer Bringle, Sourcing Journal, 26 Sep. 2025
Giffords, a Democrat, was the main target, authorities said.
—Chris Boyette, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for authority
Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 26 Sep. 2025
Two Miami men were killed by an apparent lightning strike during a hunting trip in Highlands County in Central Florida, authorities said.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 26 Sep. 2025
The proposal to restrict PFAS in the EU was prepared by authorities in Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden and submitted to ECHA in January 2023.
—Jennifer Bringle, Sourcing Journal, 26 Sep. 2025
Giffords, a Democrat, was the main target, authorities said.
—Chris Boyette, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for authority
Recent Examples of Synonyms for authority
Noun
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But experts remain skeptical about Martínez’s theory of a burial connected to Taposiris Magna.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
26 Sep. 2025
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Since chimps are more like humans than cats or dogs, a unique blend of human and veterinary medicine was necessary to find the right surgical approach, experts said.—
Lauren Liebhaber,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Both parties have been at a standoff concerning how to fund the government.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Sep. 2025
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The Puspha also uses the name Boracay and sails under the flag of Benin, according to the Ukrainian government.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
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This zone is crucial for pitch framing, where catchers use their presentation to influence umpires into calling borderline pitches strikes.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
27 Sep. 2025
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That lasting influence — in music, fashion, and Brooklyn’s cultural identity — is exactly why the Nets are turning to Biggie as a central figure this season.—
Christopher Claxton,
Billboard,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
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China's carbon dioxide emissions from its power sector fell by almost 3% during the first half of this year as its growth in solar power matched the rise in electricity demand.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
24 Sep. 2025
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For me, the camera has a unique power in guiding me toward visualising complex, sometimes uncomfortable emotions that resist being pinned down by language.—
Caterina De Biasio,
Vogue,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
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There are a few reasons for this.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
26 Sep. 2025
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Trump has leaned heavily on the courts during his second term to challenge media outlets, but as of Wednesday night, the president’s legal team has not brought a new lawsuit against ABC, for predictable reasons, according to experts.—
Christian Datoc,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
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For 39 percent of seniors, benefits are their only source of income.—
Aliss Higham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
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Add PCMag as a preferred source on Google.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Première Vision has also extended its global footprint with events in New York, Montreal, Tokyo and Shenzhen, which Rousson said demonstrated the strength of PV and has not reduced the effectiveness of the original Paris fair.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
22 Sep. 2025
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Bannon, for his part, slammed Kennedy's effectiveness as health secretary, calling his efforts to implement an anti-vaccine agenda unserious and amateurish.—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
22 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Newcomers include Manny Jacinto as Renato, the North Pole’s resident massage therapist and holistic healer; Dulcé Sloan as Janice, a North Pole post office clerk; and Danny Pudi as Chef Geoff, the master chef at the Fruitcake Factory.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Sep. 2025
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On the first day of Milan Fashion Week, LVMH Métiers d’Excellence and Thélios hosted the awards ceremony of the Maestri d’Eccellenza Prize craftsmanship competition, dedicated to Italian master artisans, revealing an all-female lineup of winners.—
Martino Carrera,
Footwear News,
23 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Authority.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/authority. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
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