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
Every Tuesday, this new newsletter delivers clear-eyed, authoritative intelligence on the deals, decisions, policies, and power shifts shaping one of the world’s most consequential regions, written for the people who need to act on it.
—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
13 June 2026
The annual ranking, long considered one of the restaurant industry's most authoritative lists, is curated by an independent academy of 300 culinary experts and honors destinations across North America that are pushing culinary boundaries while delivering exceptional dining experiences.
—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Midwest Living,
8 June 2026
Silver’s background played an instrumental role in the NBA building a credible and authoritative case to expel Ballmer’s predecessor, Donald Sterling, as Clippers owner after Sterling’s racist comments led to NBA players threatening a boycott and sponsors cutting ties with the Clippers.
—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
2 June 2026
Read the authoritative profile of how Wilson has worked to make Homer modern.
—
Caroline Mimbs Nyce,
New Yorker,
2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for authoritative
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
13 June 2026
The annual ranking, long considered one of the restaurant industry's most authoritative lists, is curated by an independent academy of 300 culinary experts and honors destinations across North America that are pushing culinary boundaries while delivering exceptional dining experiences.
—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Midwest Living,
8 June 2026
Silver’s background played an instrumental role in the NBA building a credible and authoritative case to expel Ballmer’s predecessor, Donald Sterling, as Clippers owner after Sterling’s racist comments led to NBA players threatening a boycott and sponsors cutting ties with the Clippers.
—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
2 June 2026
Read the authoritative profile of how Wilson has worked to make Homer modern.
—
Caroline Mimbs Nyce,
New Yorker,
2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for authoritative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for authoritative
Adjective
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There has been no definitive declaration about which direction this team will take.
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Moreover, Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh did a good job at his first post-meeting press conference last week, and the potential for a definitive agreement to end the war with Iran bodes well for the global economy.
Adjective
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The military plays an influential role in Pakistani politics, and its backing is critical for ruling governments.
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This is a vast nation, complicated and often contradictory, with a history marked by both tragedy and triumph, so this isn’t aiming to be a definitive ranking of the 50 best or most influential American books.
Adjective
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Satrapi shows us that under authoritarian rule, exile is experienced not only in leaving home, but in the slow erosion of the self from within.
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Building the capacity of governments, especially authoritarian ones, to manage migration and contain refugees is not an inherent global good.
Adjective
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Within Florida, Core Knowledge is taught extensively in the state’s classical charter schools, over 82% of which earned an A or B report card grade for the 2024-25 school year.
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Pilates includes several styles, from classical and contemporary to clinical.
Adjective
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Musk’s company has inked lucrative AI deals with Anthropic and Google and plans to be the domineering firm behind orbital data centers, which SpaceX has said could be deployed as early as 2028.
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Many figures within evangelicalism have promoted an aggressive, domineering, even abusive view of manhood—affixing to it, as Du Mez argues, the label biblical.
Adjective
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Prices and availability are accurate as of the time of publication and are subject to change without notice.
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Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.
Adjective
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The passage is incoherent, yet, in conflating progressive reform with arrogant blind faith, it is perfectly suited to Vance’s cynical conservatism.
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To no one’s surprise, Bonnie is immediately transfixed by her Lilypad (voiced by Greta Lee, whose arrogant smarm effectively threads the needle between Maya Hawke’s Anxiety and Regina George’s everything else).
Adjective
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Without discussing too much in detail, councilmembers raised several potential alternatives during the meeting, including parking garage subsidies, downtown employee waivers and a comprehensive citywide review of parking programs.
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The first stage began in July 2025, when Meta announced comprehensive measures targeting accounts that repeatedly share unoriginal content without meaningful enhancement, building on enforcement actions that had already been taken against 500,000 accounts in the first half of the year.
Cite this Entry
“Authoritative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/authoritative. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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