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
Lexington Police Department Moore’s body was found Wednesday afternoon near a gym that she was seen leaving on June 11 in Lexington, a city of roughly 23,000 west of Columbia, authorities said.
—
Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 20 June 2026
Hours later, both men got into an argument at the business, which led to the shooting, authorities said.
—Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 19 June 2026
Crucially, all gambling income must be voluntarily reported, even without a W-2G, as tax authorities can easily track digital betting activity.
—Nathan Goldman, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
Guerrero Flores was charged in a New York federal court with racketeering conspiracy and other crimes, including lending support to terrorists in crimes that stretched more than a decade, authorities announced in December.
—Will Weissert, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2026
Midland Mayor Lori Blong said authorities confirmed that the shooter had been killed via footage from a robot and drone.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 13 June 2026
Meanwhile, on June 11, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department released a statement clarifying that Mexican authorities had not contacted them about the tip or the search efforts.
—Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 12 June 2026
But now the city’s hard-line authorities are making the law even more repressive for anyone caught in its net.
—Editorial Board, Washington Post, 12 June 2026
At this time, we have not been contacted by Mexican authorities.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 12 June 2026
Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 20 June 2026
Hours later, both men got into an argument at the business, which led to the shooting, authorities said.
—Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 19 June 2026
Crucially, all gambling income must be voluntarily reported, even without a W-2G, as tax authorities can easily track digital betting activity.
—Nathan Goldman, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
Guerrero Flores was charged in a New York federal court with racketeering conspiracy and other crimes, including lending support to terrorists in crimes that stretched more than a decade, authorities announced in December.
—Will Weissert, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2026
Midland Mayor Lori Blong said authorities confirmed that the shooter had been killed via footage from a robot and drone.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 13 June 2026
Meanwhile, on June 11, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department released a statement clarifying that Mexican authorities had not contacted them about the tip or the search efforts.
—Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 12 June 2026
But now the city’s hard-line authorities are making the law even more repressive for anyone caught in its net.
—Editorial Board, Washington Post, 12 June 2026
At this time, we have not been contacted by Mexican authorities.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 12 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for authorities
Noun
-
The district continues to face ongoing challenges from declining enrollment and chronic absenteeism — both apparently exacerbated by federal deportation threats, according to some experts.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
22 June 2026
-
In recent months, Google DeepMind, Meta and Anthropic have begun to hire experts in psychology, philosophy and ethics in order to research the topics of machine consciousness and AI welfare.—
Rob Toews,
Forbes.com,
22 June 2026
Noun
-
As far as the chemistry council is concerned, newspaper stories, television news programs and online posts are to blame for people increasingly clamoring for industries and governments to address plastic waste.—
Michael Hawthorne,
Chicago Tribune,
21 June 2026
-
Latin America has lurched rightward in recent elections, as governments scramble to curtail violence stemming from record cocaine production.—
Brendan Ruberry,
semafor.com,
21 June 2026
Noun
-
The band, whose diverse musical influences included the Ramones, David Bowie and OMD, formed in 1983 after Susan and Jade moved to New York City.—
David Chiu,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
-
Ortatepe said that the restaurant’s myriad influences — Greek, Turkish, Anatolian, Levantine — mesh with creating a space where culture connects guests.—
Connie Ogle
June 19,
Miami Herald,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
The move means the rest of the AI industry will be forced to take heed of the authority asserted by Lutnick, and BIS can invoke other powers if the specific provisions used against Anthropic are contested.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
19 June 2026
-
In an attempt to regain her powers, Lucia accidentally summons a cosmic entity known as Altair.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
Whatever the reasons, the result is somewhat ironic.—
Jack Bantock,
CNN Money,
22 June 2026
-
Another possibility is that AMD made the move for performance reasons.—
Dan Goodin,
ArsTechnica,
22 June 2026
Noun
-
Nvidia is aiming to raise at least $20 billion in debt, according to sources with knowledge of the matter, in the chipmaker’s first bond sale since the start of the AI boom.—
Arjun Kharpal,Kai Nicol-Schwarz,
CNBC,
19 June 2026
-
Scientists have discovered a new way to control quantum light sources by twisting atomically thin layers of a material known as hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), a breakthrough that could help bring quantum technologies closer to practical use.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
But legal scholars said any change to the center's name could not be done unilaterally by the board and instead required congressional action.—
Joe Walsh,
CBS News,
20 June 2026
-
One of this year’s highlights was a panel discussion featuring scholars and historians from UNC Charlotte and the local community.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
The lack of information generally is a big issue for blind travelers as well, along with airline and airport employees not understanding the rules that govern accommodations for blind passengers.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
22 June 2026
-
Jessop, the Leave-supporting economist, believes the UK should make better use of its freedom from EU rules to cut red tape and lower trade barriers with the rest of the world.—
Hanna Ziady,
CNN Money,
22 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Authorities.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/authorities. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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