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
The next day, authorities announced the student's real name is Anthony Michael Lennon and he'd been captured after more than a decade on the run.
—
Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 7 Nov. 2025
His car was later found abandoned, and authorities began searching the area.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2025
The man was arrested by authorities, said Mexico City mayor, Clara Brugada.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
In the city by the river the authorities raised banners across buildings and lampposts to proclaim pride in their children and wish them luck.
—George Packer, The Atlantic, 6 Nov. 2025
The man's identity has not been released, and authorities declined to comment on the homicide investigation that led to his warrant.
—Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 6 Nov. 2025
The state points to new guidance from federal health authorities.
—Will McDuffie, ABC News, 6 Nov. 2025
Immigration authorities use the airport in Gary to conduct deportation flights.
—Michael Loria, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
Middlebury students joined authorities in the search for Smith, MyNBC5 reports.
—Daniel S. Levine, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 7 Nov. 2025
His car was later found abandoned, and authorities began searching the area.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2025
The man was arrested by authorities, said Mexico City mayor, Clara Brugada.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
In the city by the river the authorities raised banners across buildings and lampposts to proclaim pride in their children and wish them luck.
—George Packer, The Atlantic, 6 Nov. 2025
The man's identity has not been released, and authorities declined to comment on the homicide investigation that led to his warrant.
—Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 6 Nov. 2025
The state points to new guidance from federal health authorities.
—Will McDuffie, ABC News, 6 Nov. 2025
Immigration authorities use the airport in Gary to conduct deportation flights.
—Michael Loria, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
Middlebury students joined authorities in the search for Smith, MyNBC5 reports.
—Daniel S. Levine, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for authorities
Noun
-
Then Vice President Cheney condemned those behind the torture scandal, while at the same time defending water-boarding as a useful means of extracting vital intelligence (many intelligence experts say water-boarding is torture, and its victims will say anything to avoid further abuse).—
Ben Wedeman,
CNN Money,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Renewables experts tell me that, in a world ruled by logic and economics rather than imaginings about the wrong enemy, both numbers would be much higher.—
Shaun McKinnon,
AZCentral.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
But several governments there have collapsed over questions about how the government will fund it.—
Corey Bridges,
NPR,
10 Nov. 2025
-
There have been growing calls from African governments and critics of Chinese mining operations, which dominate the sector, for improved safety standards.—
Elisha Iragi,
semafor.com,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Originally from Puglia, Bowerman is unafraid to introduce global flavors into her Italian cooking, often drawing upon Asian influences.—
Nina Ruggiero,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Nov. 2025
-
The menu at 1923 is inspired by the fusion of cultural flavors found throughout California, including Asian, European and South American influences.—
Sarah Whitten,
CNBC,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
While falling behind is a real concern, particularly compared to China’s advances, there is also evidence that the Russia has not integrated its satellite systems into its military infrastructure as well as many other space powers.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN Money,
9 Nov. 2025
-
The big powers, the hope for any progress in Darfur runs through Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, through Abu Dhabi, the capital of United Arab Emirates, Cairo, the capital of Egypt.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Human rights organizations have renewed their criticism, airing concerns about the persecution of dissent in a country where more than 800 people are behind bars for political reasons, according to the legal rights organization Foro Penal.—
Stefano Pozzebon,
CNN Money,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Lea is an Elko protégé and could appeal to PSU for many of the same reasons.—
Nelson Espinal,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The change has proved costly because Venezuela lost one of its few remaining sources of legitimate income.—
Stefano Pozzebon,
CNN Money,
11 Nov. 2025
-
As global demand for cleaner and more efficient energy sources intensifies, solar power remains one of the most promising solutions.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Rolling Stone spoke with two scholars who explain that the clips, overwhelmingly targeting Black women, play on decades-old stereotypes used to slander welfare recipients.—
Andre Gee,
Rolling Stone,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Multiple scholars focus on the Black and Native experiences, allowing those sides of the stories to feel like more than mere footnotes, if never truly focal.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Still in its early stages, Montgomery Steppe’s proposal calls for free medical care, including prescription drugs, to be provided to people who lose Medi-Cal benefits or face ineligibility under new rules for Medicaid.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Nov. 2025
-
In practice, though, these presidents did not always adhere to its rules.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Authorities.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/authorities. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.
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