Synonyms of authorities

authorities

noun

plural of authority

1

as in experts

a person with a high level of knowledge or skill in a field

the leading authority on neural anatomy

Synonyms & Similar Words

• experts
• scholars
• adepts
• masters
• artists
• gurus
• specialists
• wizards
• virtuosos
• hands
• professionals
• consultants
• maestros
• proficients
• past masters
• connoisseurs
• hotshots
• enthusiasts
• cognoscenti
• mavens
• sharks
• aces
• geeks
• sharps
• dab hands
• fiends
• fans
• craftsmen
• pros
• meisters
• devotees
• addicts
• whizzes
• aficionados
• dabs
• crackerjacks
• hired guns
• buffs
• mistresses
• journeymen
• Renaissance men
• jacks-of-all-trades
• all-rounders

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• amateurs
• nonexperts
• apprentices
• novices
• beginners
• neophytes
• laymen
• inexperts
• nonprofessionals
• dabblers
• dilettantes

2

as in governments

lawful control over the affairs of a political unit (as a nation)

the sheriff had authority over the whole county

Synonyms & Similar Words

• governments
• rules
• administrations
• governances
• regimes
• jurisdictions
• powers
• reigns
• regimens
• dictatorships
• sovereignties
• tyrannies
• leaderships
• regulations
• dominions
• managements
• oppressions
• dominations
• supremacies
• directions
• autocracies
• commands
• hegemonies
• sways
• supervisions
• subjugations
• superintendences
• masteries

3

as in influences

the power to direct the thinking or behavior of others usually indirectly

speaks with a persuasive authority on matters of public health

Synonyms & Similar Words

• influences
• sways
• weights
• leverages
• credits
• ins
• importances
• juices
• pulls
• consequences
• clouts
• dominions
• sovereignties
• impacts
• dominances
• supremacies
• commands
• moments
• reigns
• scepters
• hefts
• eminences
• counterinfluences
• predominances
• impressions
• impresses
• imprints
• marks
• masteries

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• weaknesses
• impotences
• impotencies

4

as in powers

the right or means to command or control others

by the authority vested in me, I now pronounce you married

Synonyms & Similar Words

• powers
• dominions
• controls
• sways
• reigns
• jurisdictions
• reins
• arms
• commands
• clutches
• sovereignties
• grips
• influences
• privileges
• death grips
• managements
• voices
• dominances
• rights
• directions
• prerogatives
• holds
• weights
• masteries
• supremacies
• pulls
• predominances
• eminences
• clouts
• imperiums
• importances
• leverages
• moments

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• weaknesses
• impotences
• impotencies

5

as in reasons

something (as a belief) that serves as the basis for another thing

I had good authority to believe that the information was correct

Synonyms & Similar Words

• reasons
• motives
• subjects
• grounds
• accounts
• causes
• incentives
• considerations
• antecedents
• whys
• occasions
• stimuli
• wherefores
• impetuses
• inspirations
• instigations

6

as in sources

something mentioned in a text as providing related and especially supporting information

the Bible is the sole authority for his impassioned defense of creationism

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sources
• references
• quotations
• citations
• extracts
• excerpts
• footnotes
• cross-references
• notes
• captions

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of authorities

Experts believe the virus was spreading in the mining town of Mongbwalu as early as February, months before authorities declared the outbreak on May 15. — ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026

All three have been questioned by authorities in the case, Cox said. — Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026

That's where authorities broke up confrontations and made some arrests after supporters from both sides clashed. — J.d. Miles, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026

The police report said the actress was with Hickerson and his brother, who were at the residence when authorities arrived. — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 18 Aug. 2026

In 2023, Mexican authorities made a their own formal request to the Dutch seeking the repatriation of the skull, which Dutch officials confirmed in December of 2024. — News Desk, Artforum, 18 Aug. 2026

Federal authorities initially accused Sosa-Celis and Aljorna of beating an officer. — Mark Vancleave, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026

A little more than two hours after the 911 call, with a regional SWAT team and Cowley County sheriff’s deputies joining the standoff, authorities breached the home and found the bodies, DeLong said. — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 12 Aug. 2026

Rescuers secured the patient and brought them onto the helicopter, authorities said. — Arkansas Online, 12 Aug. 2026