Definition of authoritativenext
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

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 But Egler had his share of scoops as well, his byline signaling authoritative reporting. Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026 Her authoritative reporting and industry knowledge help readers and listeners better understand the space and inform critical business decisions. Matt Grobar, Deadline, 7 Jan. 2026 Rather than advancing a single authoritative narrative, the exhibition creates space for inquiry, encouraging visitors to reflect on how beliefs are formed, how digital systems influence perception, and how imagination reshapes memory and identity. Devon Akmon, Washington Post, 6 Jan. 2026 Rather than advancing a single authoritative narrative, the exhibition creates space for inquiry, encouraging visitors to reflect on how beliefs are formed, how digital systems influence perception, and how imagination reshapes memory and identity. Devon Akmon, The Conversation, 5 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for authoritative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for authoritative
Adjective
  • Grounded in data, this is the definitive ranking to understand who is wielding power in business today and who is poised to have more tomorrow.
    Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 27 Jan. 2026
  • There’s no definitive count on the overlap of voters for the Oscars and the BAFTAs, but most publicists figure at least 1,000 of the 8,300 BAFTA film voters also belong to the motion picture academy.
    Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The influential investor has the respect of Wall Street and deep knowledge of complex financial markets.
    Matt Egan, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
  • Ah, the nostalgic nineties, that notorious decade that's now being strip-mined for its influential music, funky fashion, dance moves, comics, movies, and television.
    Jeff Spry, Space.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Bin Salman, known informally as MBS, is Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler and has been criticized for having a similar authoritarian leadership style.
    Josh Meyer, USA Today, 24 Jan. 2026
  • Yesterday, more than 50,000 Minneapolis residents joined a peaceful general strike against this authoritarian overreach.
    Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Quantum computations can be described as extremely large tensors—mathematical structures far too big for direct classical simulation.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 29 Jan. 2026
  • These findings suggest that such planets can retain significant amounts of water despite lying outside the classical habitable zones—and this doesn’t apply to planets orbiting their stars too closely.
    Victoria Corless, Space.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Since determining whether someone is domineering is subjective and could vary based on different perspectives, that statement is unlikely to qualify as defamation.
    Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 16 Jan. 2026
  • Set in medieval England, Anne (Turner) is torn between her domineering live-in mother-in-law Morwen (Marcia Gay Harden) and a new love interest, Jago (Harington).
    Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 15 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The key is to start where friction is highest, whether that’s customer responses, proposals, first-pass marketing copy or product listings, and introduce a simple review checklist that defines what must be accurate, what must never be claimed, and what requires human sign-off.
    Alison Coleman, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
  • As more and more business teams incorporate LLMs into their daily workflows, responses generated must be accurate and reliable.
    Connie Etemadi, Miami Herald, 28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • In the early years of his fame as a writer, Rushdie had something of a reputation for being prickly and arrogant, but Gibney’s portrait reveals a man mellowed by time and experience.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 25 Jan. 2026
  • Spock is this brilliant, arrogant, aloof-to-the-point-of-obnoxiousness genius.
    Richard Edwards, Space.com, 18 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The company is preparing a comprehensive debt restructuring after authorities asked it to submit a plan as soon as possible, people familiar with the matter said in early January.
    Bloomberg News, Bloomberg, 28 Jan. 2026
  • There was no comprehensive catalog, no index.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Authoritative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/authoritative. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.

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