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
Utah authorities released photos of the person of interest in the shooting on Thursday in which the individual can be seen on steps while carrying a black backpack and wearing a shirt with what appeared to be an American flag print on it.
—
Jon Haworth, ABC News, 12 Sep. 2025
In spite of Husseini’s role in leading a pogrom in Jerusalem in 1920, British authorities made Husseini the grand mufti of Jerusalem, the leading Muslim cleric in the land.
—Sean Durns, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
In the hours after the shooting, authorities detained two people, including one interrogated by law enforcement.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
According to the New York Times, this individual was the second person detained and later released by law enforcement authorities after questioning.
—Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Ayman Soliman, a former hospital chaplain, has been detained by immigration authorities since July after losing his asylum status.
—Victoria Moorwood, Cincinnati Enquirer, 5 Sep. 2025
The couple is accused of killing their 7-month-old son despite the fact that authorities have yet to find the infant's remains.
—Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2025
The French minister of culture and regional authorities were the ones who granted Herzog access to the cave.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2025
When police arrived, a group of over 50 people surrounded authorities’ vehicles as some individuals climbed on top, ultimately causing some damage to the cruisers.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Jon Haworth, ABC News, 12 Sep. 2025
In spite of Husseini’s role in leading a pogrom in Jerusalem in 1920, British authorities made Husseini the grand mufti of Jerusalem, the leading Muslim cleric in the land.
—Sean Durns, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
In the hours after the shooting, authorities detained two people, including one interrogated by law enforcement.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
According to the New York Times, this individual was the second person detained and later released by law enforcement authorities after questioning.
—Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Ayman Soliman, a former hospital chaplain, has been detained by immigration authorities since July after losing his asylum status.
—Victoria Moorwood, Cincinnati Enquirer, 5 Sep. 2025
The couple is accused of killing their 7-month-old son despite the fact that authorities have yet to find the infant's remains.
—Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2025
The French minister of culture and regional authorities were the ones who granted Herzog access to the cave.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2025
When police arrived, a group of over 50 people surrounded authorities’ vehicles as some individuals climbed on top, ultimately causing some damage to the cruisers.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for authorities
Noun
-
Taiwanese policy experts fear that this lack of access to the president will make renegotiating the tariffs impossible.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
10 Sep. 2025
-
One major concern experts have flagged is liquidity risks in private asset funds.—
Jenni Reid,Ganesh Rao,
CNBC,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
African governments have long complained that ratings agencies unfairly downgrade them relative to non-African peers, pushing up borrowing costs.—
Prashant Rao,
semafor.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Expect governments to tighten rules, requiring companies to track and disclose their dependencies.—
Sandy Carter,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
This roster runs particularly deep, from the boogie-woogie blues (Buddy Guy, Muddy Waters) to the bar rock scene (Smashing Pumpkins, Fall Out Boy) and the extensive hip-hop multiverse (where both gospel and drill influences abound).—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Goodman’s novel is a tribute to her influences, and a crackling joy to read.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
While the Gulf states may well reconsider aspects of their defense and procurement policies, a major re-pivot to primarily buying military hardware, especially sophisticated equipment, from China or Russia and other rivals of the Western powers seems highly unlikely.—
Paul Iddon,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
-
At the peak of his powers, Urquidy was a finesse pitcher who relied on command.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Trump claimed without evidence that McEntarfer had manipulated statistics for political reasons.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Housing is one of the reasons anyone in tech will tell you that the industry is thriving in California largely in spite of regulations, not because of them.—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
And more than 60 million Americans rely on drinking water from rivers and aquifers whose sources are within national forests.—
Ryan Gellert,
Time,
9 Sep. 2025
-
The #Eagles’ trade for Tank Bigsby is in part due to a need for another kick returner, sources say.—
Matt Wadleigh,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The scholars included a variety of specialists, including experts in the text of the Quran, jurisprudence, and calligraphy.—
Livia Gershon,
JSTOR Daily,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Multiple rights experts and scholars say Israel's military assault on Gaza amounts to genocide.—
Jarrett Renshaw,
USA Today,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
See rules for Competitive Wordle toward the end of this post.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Both levels are far above EU rules demanding that individual members’ deficits should not exceed 3% of GDP, while their public debt should not surpass 60% of economic output.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Authorities.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/authorities. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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