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
In a time of noise and distraction, his quiet yet authoritative voice continues to show the way.
—
Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025
Making use of both anchors in such fashion would put an authoritative person in the field and the studio, this person suggested, while giving the newscast the ability to deliver breaking news at the top of the broadcast.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 28 Aug. 2025
The project of canons, however flawed, is one of the few ways to push against that flattening logic, to argue that history should remember more than what, say, SiriusXM chooses to bankroll and gets an authoritative New York Times write-up.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2025
The rulings are considered authoritative statements regarding questions of international law.
—Lauren Gifford, Space.com, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for authoritative
Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025
Making use of both anchors in such fashion would put an authoritative person in the field and the studio, this person suggested, while giving the newscast the ability to deliver breaking news at the top of the broadcast.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 28 Aug. 2025
The project of canons, however flawed, is one of the few ways to push against that flattening logic, to argue that history should remember more than what, say, SiriusXM chooses to bankroll and gets an authoritative New York Times write-up.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2025
The rulings are considered authoritative statements regarding questions of international law.
—Lauren Gifford, Space.com, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for authoritative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for authoritative
Adjective
-
Nevertheless, when David Blitzer joined the S&P 500 committee in 1989, the Dow was still the definitive stock market index.—
Alex Mayyasi,
NPR,
23 Sep. 2025
-
However, the link between fever and neurodevelopmental disorders is more definitive, Gabard-Durnam said.—
Adrianna Rodriguez,
USA Today,
23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Both continents coexist and compete to produce the most influential companies in financial technology, though the paths taken and outcomes achieved often vary widely.—
Aman Ghei,
Fortune,
27 Sep. 2025
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One of the most influential figures in cocktail history is David Embury, author of The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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However, the inaugural festival has quickly gained controversy for its association with Saudi Arabia and the country's authoritarian regime.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
26 Sep. 2025
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Next, imagine that those same authoritarian-minded people were recruited by and answer to a president who daily calls for investigations, fines, firings, lawsuits, or worse against any American individual or organization that opposes his policies.—
Patrick Eddington,
Oc Register,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Unlike classical bits, qubits can exist in two states at once, a property called superposition.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Sep. 2025
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What kind of classical Japanese instrumentation was used?—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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But as Blitzer points out, the Magnificent 7's domineering influence does not mean the S&P 500 is broken.—
Alex Mayyasi,
NPR,
23 Sep. 2025
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Managers often grow more assertive (sometimes drifting into domineering).—
Dave Winsborough,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Plus, recent studies have indicated that reliance on AI models can reduce physicians' ability to make accurate clinical judgments in the absence of AI.—
Alexis Kayser,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
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Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.—
Kasey Caminiti,
USA Today,
24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Jean stepped out as Nia approached—lean and arrogant, a cigarette pinched between her lips.—
David Wright Faladé,
New Yorker,
28 Sep. 2025
-
Gil, her nemesis, is hot, arrogant and unfortunately extremely kissable.—
Audrey Goldberg Ruoff,
PEOPLE,
27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Over 4,000 comprehensive product lifecycle assessments (LCA) completed in a single quarter.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
22 Sep. 2025
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Federally qualified teaching health centers provide comprehensive care to low-income and uninsured populations and have primary care residency programs that train doctors to serve underserved communities.—
Angela Palermo,
Idaho Statesman,
21 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Authoritative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/authoritative. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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