1
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
2
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
3
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
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Recent Examples of authoritative
The site has been weaponized to magnify climate denial and vaccine denial messaging, while drowning out actual authoritative scientific sources and voices.
—
Michael E. Mann, Time, 17 Sep. 2025
Employees felt uncomfortable coming to work knowing that someone in an authoritative position was going to be here [who] said those things on the internet.
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 16 Sep. 2025
These risks multiply when multiple agents collaborate, each trusting outputs from others as authoritative inputs.
—Steve Durbin, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
In June, more than 20 authoritative organizations, including the National Medical Association and American Academy of Pediatrics, expressed serious concerns for the health impacts of overhauling the advisory committee.
—Jordan Miller, The Conversation, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for authoritative
Michael E. Mann, Time, 17 Sep. 2025
Employees felt uncomfortable coming to work knowing that someone in an authoritative position was going to be here [who] said those things on the internet.
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 16 Sep. 2025
These risks multiply when multiple agents collaborate, each trusting outputs from others as authoritative inputs.
—Steve Durbin, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
In June, more than 20 authoritative organizations, including the National Medical Association and American Academy of Pediatrics, expressed serious concerns for the health impacts of overhauling the advisory committee.
—Jordan Miller, The Conversation, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for authoritative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for authoritative
Adjective
-
Studies in recent years have gone back and forth on the topic, with no definitive conclusion.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
14 Oct. 2025
-
The definitive ranking of the women at the top of the global business world tells us both who wields power today and who is poised to climb even higher tomorrow.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Elsewhere in the hotel are pieces by furniture studio Branco & Preto, founded by a group of young architects in the 1950s, and chairs by the influential Romanian-Brazilian architect Jean Gillon.—
Hannah Walhout,
Travel + Leisure,
18 Oct. 2025
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In 2010, Vought quit working for House Republicans and helped launch Heritage Action for America, an offshoot of the influential conservative think tank Heritage Foundation.—
Andy Kroll,
ProPublica,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
This feels more important than ever in a world that tries to normalize genocide and climate catastrophe as the inevitable outcome of ongoing and increasingly authoritarian imperialist projects.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Oct. 2025
-
In all of our studies, this mindset was also strongly associated with authoritarian attitudes, including beliefs that some groups should dominate others and support for autocratic government.—
Abraham Rutchick,
The Conversation,
15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Simply put, there are complex problems that cannot be solved by classical computers, such as simulating molecules for drug discovery and materials science and optimizing large-scale systems in finance and logistics.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
12 Oct. 2025
-
These devices promise to revolutionize computing by solving problems far beyond the reach of classical machines.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
And one of the reasons the film doesn’t succeed is Meryl Streep’s grotesque performance as the filterless, domineering matriarch.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Gein’s mother was cruel and domineering.—
Elizabeth Yuko,
Rolling Stone,
8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Backdrop cofounder and creative director Natalie Ebel said that description sounds pretty accurate.—
Sofia Celeste,
Footwear News,
14 Oct. 2025
-
The original film, which is spoken in Aramaic, Hebrew and Latin to create a more historically accurate and immersive experience, followed the final 12 hours before the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Jackson returns as Wes Bryant, a handsome, intelligent, but arrogant man who had just moved to Seattle and was revealed to be a new medical intern at Grey Sloan.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
9 Oct. 2025
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Jack Cutmore-Scott as Julius Beaufort, an arrogant new money banker at the center of New York society with an interest in Ellen.—
Joe Otterson,
Variety,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The eastern campus will total 300,000 square feet and focus on comprehensive primary care, primary and specialty pediatric care, and adult and pediatric urgent care.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
13 Oct. 2025
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Consider the personal income per resident yardstick, the bureau’s comprehensive measurement of all types of incomes, including those from jobs, businesses, investments, and government assistance.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Authoritative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/authoritative. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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