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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of authorities
Walton then allegedly fled at a high rate of speed without contacting authorities.
—
Stepheny Price , Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 2 May 2026
Ray said federal authorities were leading the investigation.
—Jim Vertuno, Chicago Tribune, 2 May 2026
The parents of Celeste Rivas Hernandez were cleared of allegations of child neglect and abuse in the months before authorities say the teenager was murdered and dismembered by singer D4vd, who now faces a possible death sentence for the slaying.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 1 May 2026
Israel responded with overwhelming force, opening a new offensive against Hezbollah with a blistering campaign of airstrikes across the country, and later an ongoing ground invasion in the south of Lebanon that authorities say has killed almost 2,590 people and displaced more than a million.
—May 1, CBS News, 1 May 2026
Over the past month, many people have taken to Chinese social media to share their own dim sum reviews and praise authorities for helping preserve the handmade tradition.
—Chris Lau, CNN Money, 1 May 2026
An alleged TikTok antagonist is accused of stabbing a 17-year-old to death outside his New York City apartment building, authorities said.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 1 May 2026
Bellish temporarily evaded authorities by making a sudden U-turn and accelerating directly at the pursuing motorcycle deputy.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
Matthew Harris, of Oakland, allegedly confessed in full to the Wells Fargo bank robbery, expressing remorse and blaming his addiction to fentanyl, authorities said.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2026
Stepheny Price , Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 2 May 2026
Ray said federal authorities were leading the investigation.
—Jim Vertuno, Chicago Tribune, 2 May 2026
The parents of Celeste Rivas Hernandez were cleared of allegations of child neglect and abuse in the months before authorities say the teenager was murdered and dismembered by singer D4vd, who now faces a possible death sentence for the slaying.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 1 May 2026
Israel responded with overwhelming force, opening a new offensive against Hezbollah with a blistering campaign of airstrikes across the country, and later an ongoing ground invasion in the south of Lebanon that authorities say has killed almost 2,590 people and displaced more than a million.
—May 1, CBS News, 1 May 2026
Over the past month, many people have taken to Chinese social media to share their own dim sum reviews and praise authorities for helping preserve the handmade tradition.
—Chris Lau, CNN Money, 1 May 2026
An alleged TikTok antagonist is accused of stabbing a 17-year-old to death outside his New York City apartment building, authorities said.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 1 May 2026
Bellish temporarily evaded authorities by making a sudden U-turn and accelerating directly at the pursuing motorcycle deputy.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
Matthew Harris, of Oakland, allegedly confessed in full to the Wells Fargo bank robbery, expressing remorse and blaming his addiction to fentanyl, authorities said.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for authorities
Noun
-
That’s right, RadarOnline is reporting from experts that some of her scenes on the show are too much even for OnlyFans.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
3 May 2026
-
With modern technologies and census data, experts can draw districts to the millimeter with the goal of packing together or splitting up whole communities with like interests.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
In 2012, he was found in violation of travel regulations and timely reporting requirements for accepting gifts from foreign governments, NPR reported at the time.—
Samantha Ketterer,
Houston Chronicle,
3 May 2026
-
It’s rooted in broader efforts to limit the education students receive about their Black history and the ways in which governments have limited how educators talk about the facts around Jim Crow, slavery and systemic inequality.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
On Witness And Respair by Jesmyn Ward Jesmyn Ward reflects on over a decade of life and writing, exploring her upbringing in rural Mississippi, literary influences, and personal tragedies with hauntingly lyrical prose.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
2 May 2026
-
Llobet draws from a wide range of influences, from flamenco to folk music, but their songs remain centered on complicated emotions and grim imagery.—
Colin Joyce,
Pitchfork,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
Sandwiched between two hegemonic powers and facing an uncertain future, an emerging generation of artists, writers, and designers began exploring new areas of subjectivity.—
Pauline J. Yao,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
-
These measures accomplished these goals by granting this body extraordinary powers to restrain development.—
Steven Greenhut,
Oc Register,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
Of course, artists make choices in biographical shows for a whole variety of reasons, whether in service of the storytelling, to appease those who would prefer to remain anonymous or even self-protection.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
-
One of the primary reasons that some car buyers avoid vehicles with electric powertrains is the lengthy duration of charging sessions.—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
At least three rounds were fired, sources said.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
2 May 2026
-
So, those considering an annuity should weigh it alongside their broader financial picture, including other assets, income sources and health outlook.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
The idea was then taken up by other Scottish scholars, including James Frazer, whose widely read compendium The Golden Bough (1890) attempted to establish cross-cultural parallels in mythology.—
Glenn Adamson,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
-
Geoff Canada, president of Harlem Children’s Zone, has known Bessent for 30 years and said the treasury secretary has mentored one of the program’s scholars for more than a decade.—
Fatima Hussein,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
The vast majority are honorable and conform their actions to the rules.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
Portofino, on Italy's other coast, added new rules to manage the behavior of those already there.—
Seth Doane,
CBS News,
3 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Authorities.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/authorities. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
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