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
No arrests were announced, but authorities said there was no longer a threat.
—
Arkansas Online, 14 Feb. 2026
According to federal authorities, Morales Tejada in October 2023 was convicted in Superior Court in Connecticut on charges of carrying a pistol without a permit and first-degree failure to appear.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 13 Feb. 2026
The Associated Press has been unable to independently assess the death toll, given authorities have disrupted internet access and international calls in Iran.
—Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
Federal authorities at the time said the man was arrested on suspicion of assault and unlawful possession of a firearm.
—Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
Savannah Guthrie’s co-hosts and colleagues have extended their support, both on-air and off, as the authorities try to find her 84-year-old mother, Nancy.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026
At least three people were killed and six others injured when a car crashed into a supermarket in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles on Thursday afternoon, authorities said.
—Chelsea Hylton, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Lemon made his first public comments after federal authorities arrested him on Thursday for partaking in an anti-ICE protest at a Minnesota church earlier this month.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 31 Jan. 2026
These include the offices of the country’s beleaguered transitional authorities and the National Palace, and Pétion-Ville either on the verge of collapse or invaded by armed groups.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2025
Arkansas Online, 14 Feb. 2026
According to federal authorities, Morales Tejada in October 2023 was convicted in Superior Court in Connecticut on charges of carrying a pistol without a permit and first-degree failure to appear.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 13 Feb. 2026
The Associated Press has been unable to independently assess the death toll, given authorities have disrupted internet access and international calls in Iran.
—Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
Federal authorities at the time said the man was arrested on suspicion of assault and unlawful possession of a firearm.
—Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
Savannah Guthrie’s co-hosts and colleagues have extended their support, both on-air and off, as the authorities try to find her 84-year-old mother, Nancy.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026
At least three people were killed and six others injured when a car crashed into a supermarket in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles on Thursday afternoon, authorities said.
—Chelsea Hylton, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Lemon made his first public comments after federal authorities arrested him on Thursday for partaking in an anti-ICE protest at a Minnesota church earlier this month.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 31 Jan. 2026
These include the offices of the country’s beleaguered transitional authorities and the National Palace, and Pétion-Ville either on the verge of collapse or invaded by armed groups.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for authorities
Noun
-
In this regard, recommendations of top Wall Street analysts can help investors make the right choice, as these experts assign buy ratings after a thorough analysis of a company's fundamentals and its ability to consistently pay dividends.—
,
CNBC,
15 Feb. 2026
-
The expropriations, along with the firings, consolidated state control of the oil sector and, experts say, drained the country of expertise and investment, inflicting lasting damage.—
Mery Mogollón,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
While the International Olympic Committee does not award prize money, many governments and national Olympic bodies offer cash bonuses.—
Lee Ying Shan,Sydney Goh,
CNBC,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Given that peril, should governments regulate AI?—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The hour-long film traces Fuller’s long history of advocacy, starting with his childhood in Louisiana and the influences of his fiery mother and grandmother.—
Kayla Huynh,
jsonline.com,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Other artistic influences in the one-sheets included Mad magazine and the artist Robert Williams.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
By letter filed with the Commission, the Manager shall designate a qualified City Administrative Officer to exercise his powers and perform the duties of Manager during his/her temporary absence or disability.—
Mike Hernández,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
-
That’s the sort of idyllic vision our political powers-that-be and tech overlords fear more than anything.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Every nation, every culture, really has its own reasons for commemorating the past.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Denver officials cited national media attention and tourism in Green Mountain Falls as reasons for downtown Denver to embrace the sculptures.—
John Wenzel,
Denver Post,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The shift in power from the media to the sources to the subjects.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The restaurant approaching its 30th anniversary sources a hefty amount of produce and other products from local farms — a theme that continues for Cochran at Bruce Moffett’s Stagioni.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
What this small copper artifact from Grave 3932 suggests is that the roots of that enduring technology stretch far deeper into Egypt’s past than scholars had recognized.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Some scholars suspect that his race was deliberately kept vague and note that, at the time, even those from other European countries like Italy or Spain would have been discriminated against by Brits.—
Ellise Shafer,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Heat strengthens pure metals Standard metallurgical rules dictate that heat eases atomic movement, rendering metals more pliable and simpler to reshape under normal conditions.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Employers then automatically increase your contributions by 1% of your paya year until the contributions reach between 8% and 10%, depending on state rules.—
Jeanne Sahadi,
CNN Money,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Authorities.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/authorities. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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