AUTHORITIES Synonyms: 154 Similar and Opposite Words

authorities

noun

plural of authority

as in experts

a person with a high level of knowledge or skill in a field the leading authority on neural anatomy

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Relevance

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as in governments

lawful control over the affairs of a political unit (as a nation) the sheriff had authority over the whole county

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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

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as in powers

the right or means to command or control others by the authority vested in me, I now pronounce you married

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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

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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

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of authorities 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 Arizona authorities are addressing an anonymous tip claiming to have information about the fate of Nancy Guthrie. —

Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 12 June 2026 Friday, the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Midland Police Department responded, authorities said. —

Holly Yan, CNN Money, 12 June 2026 In some communities distrust of outside authorities and aid organizations has led to attacks on treatment centers, while the outbreak’s spread through Ituri—a major commercial and migration hub—has heightened concerns about wider regional and international transmission. —

Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 May 2026 Plus, in the absence of strong privacy regulations here in the US, there’s little authorities can do about the tracking except press lawmakers to take action, since tech companies are unlikely to do anything that will impact their bottom line. —

Alan Henry, PC Magazine, 29 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for authorities

Noun

While many countries have limits on immigration, none has ever voted to limit its population, Swiss experts say.

— Jamey Keaten, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2026
Most financial experts will tell you to wait to claim your Social Security retirement benefits at least until your full retirement age (which is now 67) or even as late as age 70.

— Jeanne Sahadi, CNN Money, 14 June 2026