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
Two people died after lower rooms flooded in New York City on Thursday as heavy rain drenched the region, authorities said.
—
Phil Helsel, NBC news, 30 Oct. 2025
Immigration authorities use the airport in Gary to conduct deportation flights.
—Michael Loria, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
Middlebury students joined authorities in the search for Smith, MyNBC5 reports.
—Daniel S. Levine, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
Following Zhao’s resignation as CEO, Binance installed Richard Teng, a former financial regulator in the UAE and Singapore, as head of the company to telegraph to authorities that the exchange was focused on compliance.
—Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2025
The victim was injured in the attack but declined medical treatment when authorities arrived, according to officials.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Rozier’s March 2023 game was referenced by authorities during Thursday’s press conference.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
Officials had received two mail-in ballots, one from Miller and one from her mother, who died in August 2024, authorities said.
—Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2025
Then, on Wednesday night, deputies returned to the home and Ashlee Buzzard was there, but Melodee was not, authorities said.
—Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2025
Phil Helsel, NBC news, 30 Oct. 2025
Immigration authorities use the airport in Gary to conduct deportation flights.
—Michael Loria, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
Middlebury students joined authorities in the search for Smith, MyNBC5 reports.
—Daniel S. Levine, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
Following Zhao’s resignation as CEO, Binance installed Richard Teng, a former financial regulator in the UAE and Singapore, as head of the company to telegraph to authorities that the exchange was focused on compliance.
—Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2025
The victim was injured in the attack but declined medical treatment when authorities arrived, according to officials.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Rozier’s March 2023 game was referenced by authorities during Thursday’s press conference.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
Officials had received two mail-in ballots, one from Miller and one from her mother, who died in August 2024, authorities said.
—Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2025
Then, on Wednesday night, deputies returned to the home and Ashlee Buzzard was there, but Melodee was not, authorities said.
—Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for authorities
Noun
-
CEOs and experts have criticized universities for failing to keep up with the times; now that AI is here to stay, students had better be prepared to leverage it in their roles.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Fat that sits deep in the abdomen and surrounds vital organs is particularly dangerous, fueling inflammation, insulin resistance and cardiovascular problems, according to experts.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
That set off a scramble by food banks, state governments and the nearly 42 million Americans who receive the aid to find ways to ensure access to groceries.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Insufficient domestic funding is hindering education progress in Africa as most governments fail to meet global funding benchmarks, wrote Human Rights Watch.—
Obiageli Ezekwesili,
semafor.com,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Considering how often pop culture influences baby names, this is one hell of a coincidence.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 Nov. 2025
-
In recent years, celebrations for the Day of the Dead have taken on new influences, some gleaned from Hollywood.—
Rocío Muñoz-Ledo,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
In what has become a recurring theme, Israel’s first occupation of Gaza was also enabled by Western powers.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
-
The case is also coming before a Supreme Court that has thus far been reluctant to check to Trump’s wide-ranging use of executive powers.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Fujimura also explained the historical reasons for why Japanese IP is so strong – starting with the periodical manga magazines that became popular in the 1950s, evolving into the anime business that boomed with the growth of Japan’s animation studios and TV networks in the 1960s.—
Liz Shackleton,
Deadline,
29 Oct. 2025
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But according to the song's very own author, the weary search for reasons is more the point than the restoration of belief.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
During last month’s IMF-World Bank meetings in Washington, Barclays organized a private meeting to talk investment opportunities with Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, two sources familiar with the meeting told Semafor.—
Shelby Talcott,
semafor.com,
4 Nov. 2025
-
The Miami Dolphins traded pass rusher Jaelan Phillips to the Philadelphia Eagles for a 2026 third-round pick, according to league sources.—
Jeff Howe,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Fitzgerald's 1925 novel has been celebrated by literary scholars for years for its depiction of the wealth and class divisions in the country that took place during the 1920s.—
Fritz Farrow,
ABC News,
1 Nov. 2025
-
Amenabar seems to root his screenplay on conjectures about the writer’s sexuality, which many scholars consider latterday projection.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The new rules went into effect for the 72nd Miss Universe pageant in 2023, according to an internal memo obtained by The National.—
Tabitha Parent,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
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If the high court rules in the favor of the comptroller general who filed the suit, the port sale would be annulled.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Authorities.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/authorities. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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