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
In its 2017–2018 survey, the CDC’s authoritative National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found that the US adult obesity rate was 42.4 percent.
—
Bryan Walsh, Vox, 3 June 2024
Other times, a source that Google trusts as authoritative is really just fan fiction.
—Kyle Orland, Ars Technica, 24 May 2024
Her authoritative but empathetic nature helps lead Boussac to compromise instead of Christian having to do so.
—Carrie Wittmer, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2024
They must be assisted in identifying sources of authoritative information, such as election officials, and taught about the tools available to understand whether an image or video has been generated by AI or been used misleadingly.
—Kat Duffy, Foreign Affairs, 4 Jan. 2024
See all Example Sentences for authoritative 
Bryan Walsh, Vox, 3 June 2024
Other times, a source that Google trusts as authoritative is really just fan fiction.
—Kyle Orland, Ars Technica, 24 May 2024
Her authoritative but empathetic nature helps lead Boussac to compromise instead of Christian having to do so.
—Carrie Wittmer, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2024
They must be assisted in identifying sources of authoritative information, such as election officials, and taught about the tools available to understand whether an image or video has been generated by AI or been used misleadingly.
—Kat Duffy, Foreign Affairs, 4 Jan. 2024
See all Example Sentences for authoritative
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'authoritative.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near authoritative
Cite this Entry
“Authoritative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/authoritative. Accessed 2 Jul. 2024.
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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