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
Thomas Gross, authorities allege.
—
Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Oct. 2025
The attack was declared a terrorist incident by British authorities.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
Smerer was identified by authorities to several news outlets.
—Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025
At least five people have died and 59 were still missing as of Thursday morning, authorities said.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
When asked about those findings, a representative from SoCal Edison said that the investigation into the Eaton fire is ongoing and the company looks forward to the final report from authorities.
—Chiara Eisner, NPR, 2 Oct. 2025
Three days after the Pennsylvania attack, a sniper opened fire on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention campus in Atlanta, authorities said.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2025
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
Georgescu, a pro-Russian candidate, was detained by Romanian authorities in late February after an investigation into his campaign was launched on allegations of election fraud and Russian interference.
—Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Oct. 2025
The attack was declared a terrorist incident by British authorities.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
Smerer was identified by authorities to several news outlets.
—Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025
At least five people have died and 59 were still missing as of Thursday morning, authorities said.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
When asked about those findings, a representative from SoCal Edison said that the investigation into the Eaton fire is ongoing and the company looks forward to the final report from authorities.
—Chiara Eisner, NPR, 2 Oct. 2025
Three days after the Pennsylvania attack, a sniper opened fire on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention campus in Atlanta, authorities said.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2025
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
Georgescu, a pro-Russian candidate, was detained by Romanian authorities in late February after an investigation into his campaign was launched on allegations of election fraud and Russian interference.
—Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for authorities
Noun
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Ahead of the latest shutdown deadline, OMB circulated guidance telling agencies to submit workforce reduction strategies, a move unions and legal experts warn is a blueprint for mass layoffs during a funding lapse.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Some experts liken it to trying to spot a snowball in a snowstorm.—
Dr. Megha Gupta,
ABC News,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The research found that 59% of those posts espoused conspiracy theories about Jews, such as that Jewish people control governments, that Jews are satanic in nature, or that the Holocaust never occurred or misrepresentations of what happened during the Holocaust.—
Hadas Gold,
CNN Money,
29 Sep. 2025
-
To stop Google from mandating the new rules, F-Droid is urging governments to scrutinize the company and calling on users to press regulators to step in.—
Senior Reporter,
PC Magazine,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Tailoring evolved with utilitarian influences, balancing sartorial precision with feminine shapes and modern fabrications.—
Samantha Conti,
Footwear News,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Hurray For the Riff Raff, who performed at George's Majestic Lounge earlier this year, is celebrated for their unique fusion of folk, Americana and punk influences.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
28 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Meanwhile, Minnesota and Illinois are considering bills that would grant rideshare workers comparable collective bargaining powers.—
Will McCurdy,
PC Magazine,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Luminate’s sales, streaming and airplay data powers Billboard’s charts.—
Keith Caulfield,
Billboard,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
There are good reasons for wanting to learn from Switzerland’s experience.—
Peter Vanham,
Fortune,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Layoffs can occur for many reasons; while they can be viewed as a signal about how companies view economic headwinds, the reasons may also be more localized to individual companies amid restructuring or plans to maximize profits.—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
A lot of the information being funneled to him and his peers from news sources wasn't clear.—
David Ferrara,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
30 Sep. 2025
-
As temperatures drop, plants begin to die back, reducing the availability of insects, seeds and other food sources.—
Brandi D. Addison,
The Providence Journal,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Legal scholars say the administration's interpretation is countered by the amendment's history and subsequent Supreme Court rulings.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
5 Oct. 2025
-
About a third of H-1B workers are nurses, teachers, physicians, scholars, priests and pastors, according to the lawsuit.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
5 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Under the new rules, young graduates — in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics or STEM — no longer need backing from a local employer and can enjoy more flexibility in terms for entry frequency and duration of stay.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
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The decree also requires operators of international shipping trading platforms to submit information to Chinese transport authorities, including name, place of registration, contact information, platform service agreement and shipping transaction rules.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Authorities.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/authorities. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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