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

Federal authorities said he was arrested on Tuesday and distributed a photo of the man in handcuffs. — Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2026

Ballard, who was arrested in a civilian district while off duty, will remain in the custody of the Japanese authorities. — Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 7 Oct. 2026

Earlier demonstrations erupted over mismanagement of a string of public examinations, and broader youth disenchantment with the authorities. — Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026

Health authorities in Kenya have placed the country's border points on high alert and are monitoring for possible additional cases. — Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026

Prison authorities are investigating the incident as a homicide, and the Office of the Inspector General has been notified, according to CDCR. — Michael McGough, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026

Bryant, who identifies as female, did not report the shooter's plans to authorities and conspired with her to broadcast the attacks, authorities allege. — ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026

However, authorities announced on Tuesday that the message was not connected to the case. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 30 Sep. 2026

Federal district courts and immigration courts operate under different legal authorities. — Ivan Taylor, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026