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 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
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
See All Example Sentences for authoritative
Jordan Miller, The Conversation, 5 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for authoritative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for authoritative
Adjective
-
The absence of any definitive answer only invites more intrigue within an organization unafraid to make drastic changes.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Of course, there is no definitive answer to the question of which royal princess has more aura, which is itself a highly subjective concept.—
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Predicting what matters in fashion was once an elite sport, the province of those who attend those big runway shows in New York, Milan, London, and – right now – Paris, like the editors of influential magazines.—
Chloe Veltman,
NPR,
4 Oct. 2025
-
The more centrally located an entrepreneur is within a web of influential contacts, the greater the access to social capital and other valuable resources.—
Sarah Maokosy,
Fortune,
4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The developments led Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela’s socialist and authoritarian leader, to threaten to declare a state of emergency earlier this week.—
Morgan Chalfant,
semafor.com,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The book is a policy handbook meant to address the realities of political life following the turmoil of the French Revolution, presenting a Christian alternative to both the authoritarian secular liberalism and counterrevolutionary movements of the day.—
Indianapolis Star,
IndyStar,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The Indianapolis Museum of Art has a penchant for combining classical beauty with modern quirks, and that takes center stage at the Clowes Pavilion.—
Domenica Bongiovanni,
IndyStar,
1 Oct. 2025
-
The classical tragedies were drawn from Greek mythology and legend, right?—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
Managers often grow more assertive (sometimes drifting into domineering).—
Dave Winsborough,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The Master 4’s sensor remains unchanged, still providing smooth and accurate tracking on virtually any surface, with a maximum DPI of 8,000.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
30 Sep. 2025
-
On a team that has allowed the league’s most sacks, McCarthy must learn from QBs like Aaron Rodgers, still the league’s fastest passer and one of its most accurate.—
Jacob Robinson,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
Jean stepped out as Nia approached—lean and arrogant, a cigarette pinched between her lips.—
David Wright Faladé,
New Yorker,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Then the Shasta County Coroner’s Office collaborated with Othram, whose scientists extracted DNA from the remains and employed its Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing to construct a comprehensive DNA profile, the laboratory said in a news release.—
David Chiu,
PEOPLE,
6 Oct. 2025
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Specializing in criminal defense, civil rights litigation, personal injury, family law, and sports entertainment, the firm employs a comprehensive approach.—
Malana VanTyler,
USA Today,
6 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Authoritative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/authoritative. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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