authoritative
adjective
au·thor·i·ta·tive
ə-ˈthȯr-ə-ˌtā-tiv 
ȯ-,
-ˈthär-
1
: having, marked by, or proceeding from authority
authoritative church doctrines
an authoritative decision
an authoritative manner
2
: possessing recognized or evident authority : clearly accurate or knowledgeable
an authoritative critique
an authoritative source of information
authoritatively
adverb
authoritativeness
noun
Examples of authoritative in a Sentence
The book is an authoritative guide to the city's restaurants.
His manner is polite but authoritative.
She addressed the group with an authoritative voice.
Recent Examples on the Web
Brown, after an authoritative start to the fourth quarter, went quiet down the stretch, scoring just two points in the final five minutes and missing his last three shots.
—
Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
Clients and partners need the dynamic, authoritative showman in the red shirt.
—Jason Barnard, Rolling Stone, 20 Oct. 2025
Religion reporter Liam Adams has written extensively about denominations with Nashville ties, wrote authoritative news obituaries after the deaths of Focus on the Family founder James Dobson and Room In The Inn founder Father Charlie Strobel and has covered trends involving religion.
—Jennifer Brett, Nashville Tennessean, 19 Oct. 2025
Produced by the Basra Cinema Center, of which Alkadumy is executive director, the film centers on Ahmed, a child with a speech impediment who is continually dismissed during Quranic lessons until defiance stirs within him, setting off a silent confrontation with his authoritative teacher.
—Essie Assibu, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for authoritative
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Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
Clients and partners need the dynamic, authoritative showman in the red shirt.
—Jason Barnard, Rolling Stone, 20 Oct. 2025
Religion reporter Liam Adams has written extensively about denominations with Nashville ties, wrote authoritative news obituaries after the deaths of Focus on the Family founder James Dobson and Room In The Inn founder Father Charlie Strobel and has covered trends involving religion.
—Jennifer Brett, Nashville Tennessean, 19 Oct. 2025
Produced by the Basra Cinema Center, of which Alkadumy is executive director, the film centers on Ahmed, a child with a speech impediment who is continually dismissed during Quranic lessons until defiance stirs within him, setting off a silent confrontation with his authoritative teacher.
—Essie Assibu, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for authoritative
Cite this Entry
“Authoritative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/authoritative. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
authoritative
adjective
au·thor·i·ta·tive
ə-ˈthär-ə-ˌtāt-iv
ȯ-,
-ˈthȯr-
: having or coming from authority
authoritatively
adverb
authoritativeness
noun
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