AUTHORITATIVE Synonyms: 110 Similar and Opposite Words

authoritative

adjective

ə-ˈthȯr-ə-ˌtā-tiv

Definition of authoritative

as in definitive

being the most accurate and apparently thorough this book is considered the most authoritative source on that subject

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in influential

having power over the minds or behavior of others after a couple of authoritative critics panned the movie, the other reviewers rushed to say how awful it was

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in authoritarian

fond of ordering people around she's very authoritative for someone who doesn't actually outrank us

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of authoritative The new system will organize types of data that proved difficult to categorize in the past — such as the ways firms make difficult decisions — to make the rankings more authoritative. — Benjamin Mullin, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026 But its rapid adoption has a big downside – AI can produce information that sounds authoritative and looks polished while being completely wrong. — Kaitlin Newkirk, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026 Chestnut red is an ingenue all grown-up—matured past apricots and strawberry blonde into something more capable and authoritative. — Loren Savini, Allure, 14 Oct. 2026 That can flatten an important distinction between data that is available and data that is authoritative. — Nick Burling, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for authoritative

Recent Examples of Synonyms for authoritative

Adjective

And definitive explanations for Bonfire and Dynamite aren’t forthcoming.

— Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
The oil-rich province of Alberta has rejected the pathway to secession and will remain part of Canada, landing a definitive blow to a fringe but loud campaign which sought support from the US.

— Max Saltman, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of definitive

Adjective

Just 3% of respondents expect electricity demand from AI to be lower than forecast; a majority see the technology as becoming more influential than innovations in renewable energy over the next decade.

— Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 21 Oct. 2026
The backstory One of a raft of Six Senses openings, the hotel is owned by the influential architect Jonathan Leitersdorf.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of influential

Adjective

The case centers on the Cuban government shooting down two Brothers to the Rescue flights, a civilian rescue group dedicated to saving refugees fleeing the authoritarian Castro regime — then run by Raul Castro’s older brother Fidel.

— Liv Caputo Herald, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026
The former authoritarian president is eyeing a return as prime minister after the Sunday vote.

— Teresa Medrano, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of authoritarian

Adjective

Writers demand all kinds of different styles in their music; some want instrumental, some don’t mind lyrics, some want mellow classical while others want heavy metal or some other kind of driving beat.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026
Shen Hall, with 1,200 seats, draws inspiration from the spatial form of classical opera houses and can accommodate various performance types, including Baroque opera, classical opera, local operas, and dramas.

— Wendy Wang, Architectural Digest, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of classical

Adjective

Lee recognizes the potential for that in the servant and chooses not to do these things, or at least not do them in a domineering or self-serving way.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026
Sources said Gunning plays Annie, a quietly dutiful wife who has sacrificed her ambitions to raise four sons under her domineering husband, Duncan.

— Matt Grobar, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of domineering

Adjective

State officials said the isolated instances of noncitizens voting, if accurate, are not evidence of widespread voter fraud.

— Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
To make good decisions, consumers need to rely on accurate information, but much of the hype around peptides is misleading.

— Amy Maxmen, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of accurate

Adjective

Ever-sensible Elinor, who never asks for much, has already met, and fallen for, Edward Ferrars (George MacKay), Fanny’s brother, as kind and modest as Fanny is arrogant.

— Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
Hal and Kate, having misread Trowbridge’s shock and dismay at the tragic death of Austin Dennison as a worse-than-usual bit of arrogant posturing, switch to Bad Cop mode.

— Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of arrogant

Adjective

In addition to this, more comprehensive work looking into how natto appears to improve bone health has made this avenue of research particularly interesting.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 21 Oct. 2026
This made the discovery more comprehensive, but almost made clear that the flaw was more serious than Calif had originally realized, an OpenAI spokesperson told Fortune.

— Emily Forlini, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026