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
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
He was arrested a week after Caballero’s body was found, authorities said, and confessed to the three murders.
—Dennis Romero, NBC news, 25 Apr. 2026
The number of cases of racial abuse against the Brazil international decreased as authorities started to take more significant action.
—ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026
Immigration authorities detained Hayam El Gamal, the wife of Mohamed Soliman, and the couple’s five children soon after Soliman was arrested in the June 1 terror attack in Boulder.
—Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2026
Your purpose is to hold government authorities accountable.
—Letters To The Editor, Washington Post, 24 Apr. 2026
According to a Facebook post from the Llano County Sheriff's Department, Angela Palmares, 27, was arrested after the Llano Independent School District notified authorities Tuesday of an alleged relationship between her and a student.
—Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026
South African company AngloGold Ashanti, US firm Newmont Mining, and China’s Zijin received the directive from authorities between last October and January, Reuters reported.
—Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 24 Apr. 2026
Though authorities declined to release additional video from that evening, the department did share dispatch audio of the welfare check.
—Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 18 Apr. 2026
Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2026
He was arrested a week after Caballero’s body was found, authorities said, and confessed to the three murders.
—Dennis Romero, NBC news, 25 Apr. 2026
The number of cases of racial abuse against the Brazil international decreased as authorities started to take more significant action.
—ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026
Immigration authorities detained Hayam El Gamal, the wife of Mohamed Soliman, and the couple’s five children soon after Soliman was arrested in the June 1 terror attack in Boulder.
—Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2026
Your purpose is to hold government authorities accountable.
—Letters To The Editor, Washington Post, 24 Apr. 2026
According to a Facebook post from the Llano County Sheriff's Department, Angela Palmares, 27, was arrested after the Llano Independent School District notified authorities Tuesday of an alleged relationship between her and a student.
—Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026
South African company AngloGold Ashanti, US firm Newmont Mining, and China’s Zijin received the directive from authorities between last October and January, Reuters reported.
—Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 24 Apr. 2026
Though authorities declined to release additional video from that evening, the department did share dispatch audio of the welfare check.
—Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 18 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for authorities
Noun
-
And the Jets got a steal with Payne in the seventh round, a 6-foot-3 safety who was projected as a fourth- or fifth-round pick by most experts.—
Zack Rosenblatt,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
According to some experts, this paralyzing fear and desperation are factors that scammers exploit to put their criminal schemes into action.—
Albinson Linares,
NBC news,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
With worker shortages deepening across the region, governments are running out of time.—
Catherine Thorbecke,
Twin Cities,
25 Apr. 2026
-
On the other, governments across the hemisphere are experimenting with approaches that emphasize economic liberalization and strong security measures.—
Armando Regil Velasco,
FOXNews.com,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The architecture draws on classic English influences, with a slate roof and detailed millwork, paired with more modern additions like smart home systems and an elevator.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
24 Apr. 2026
-
That means influences of sugar-producing countries.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The villain — who flew around inside a giant disco ball for no apparent reason — absorbed the Guardians’ powers and used them against the magical girl heroes.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
24 Apr. 2026
-
An equally contentious matter, the renewal of surveillance powers for federal spy agencies, also devolved into an after-hours affair.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Apr. 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
-
April 25, 2026 Less than a week after making his major-league debut on April 3, the shortstop signed a team-record nine-year extension that league sources confirmed to The Athletic is for $140 million and could be worth up to $150 million with performance escalators.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The victim was charged with disorderly conduct and trespass, but both charges were later dropped, sources said.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The new, more faithful texts Library of America established have been a service to both readers and scholars, and are the ones that now appear in Vintage paperback editions.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Think tanks and scholars seeking to explain this moment of collective catharsis searched for causes outside Cuba.—
Gisela Salim-Peyer,
The Atlantic,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The back-to-back resignations and investigations, spanning both parties and both the legislative and executive branches, have reignited a debate about whether Washington’s rules and institutions for self-oversight can keep pace with the misconduct unfolding within it.—
Ana Ceballos
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Confirm whether the rules apply to all classes of e-bikes as some areas also have stricter laws for the faster (class 3) e-bikes.—
Dr. Phyllis Agran,
Boston Herald,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Authorities.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/authorities. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
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