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
Brown, after an authoritative start to the fourth quarter, went quiet down the stretch, scoring just two points in the final five minutes and missing his last three shots.
—
Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
Religion reporter Liam Adams has written extensively about denominations with Nashville ties, wrote authoritative news obituaries after the deaths of Focus on the Family founder James Dobson and Room In The Inn founder Father Charlie Strobel and has covered trends involving religion.
—Jennifer Brett, Nashville Tennessean, 19 Oct. 2025
When considering his crimes or getting ready to commit another, Chernus’s eyes grow cold, his voice deep and sharp, his body language more taut and authoritative.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2025
While Efraimoglou is bold and authoritative, Vandorou is quiet and reflective.
—Janine Di Giovanni, Travel + Leisure, 11 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for authoritative
Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
Religion reporter Liam Adams has written extensively about denominations with Nashville ties, wrote authoritative news obituaries after the deaths of Focus on the Family founder James Dobson and Room In The Inn founder Father Charlie Strobel and has covered trends involving religion.
—Jennifer Brett, Nashville Tennessean, 19 Oct. 2025
When considering his crimes or getting ready to commit another, Chernus’s eyes grow cold, his voice deep and sharp, his body language more taut and authoritative.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2025
While Efraimoglou is bold and authoritative, Vandorou is quiet and reflective.
—Janine Di Giovanni, Travel + Leisure, 11 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for authoritative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for authoritative
Adjective
-
Anybody making a definitive call on McCarthy’s trajectory is missing the boat on the sample necessary to make those kinds of judgments.—
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
11 Nov. 2025
-
The two men went on to co-author a definitive 1,500-page textbook on SAT.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The death of former Vice President Dick Cheney earlier this week has evoked divisive reflections across the United States toward one of Washington's most influential figures of the century.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Political contacts In the late-1990s and 2000s, while Itera was reporting billions in annual revenue, the company cultivated relationships with influential politicians.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Led by a far-right authoritarian government, the country has nevertheless encouraged rooftop and utility-scale solar through a mix of government rebates and relaxed regulations.—
Ella Nilsen,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Unlike communism and other authoritarian systems of government, democratic socialists believe in democracy.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Dennis was an artist and classical piano player who was an actor in the film.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Almost all the photographs in the show are gelatin silver prints made from negative film, the standard of 20th century classical photography.—
Amy Carleton,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
As a young man, he was raised by his domineering father (Charles Dance), who sits with him and teaches him about the sciences.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
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More relevant to this show, Ross also directed the fine 2016 film Captain Fantastic, starring Viggo Mortensen as a domineering father who isolates his six children from society.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
If accurate even only in part, such a dramatic escalation would cast doubt on the reliability of the election results and put the military at the center of the blame for the outcome.—
Peter D. Feaver,
Foreign Affairs,
12 Nov. 2025
-
The median offers a more accurate view of what's happening in a market than the average sales price, which would mean taking the sum of all sales prices then dividing by the number of homes sold.—
USA TODAY Network,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
12 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
This version of Ryan was arrogant, unable to conceal pride in his accomplishment.—
Jamie Thompson,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
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So long as that situation continues, the 43-year-old’s allegedly arrogant and stand-offish treatment of his players will not worry the club hierarchy too much.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The Clockwork manicure was not as comprehensive as what 10Beauty looks to deliver, though absorbing the company’s data has accelerated 10Beauty’s own device and helped the company better understand what will and won’t work in autonomous services.—
Noor Lobad,
Footwear News,
10 Nov. 2025
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As such, each festivalgoer will also be provided with a comprehensive guide to staying healthy while in Costa Rica that’s been developed in partnership with local doctors, health professionals and the Costa Rican Ministry of Health.—
Katie Bain,
Billboard,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Authoritative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/authoritative. Accessed 30 Nov. 2025.
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