1
as in definitive
being the most accurate and apparently thorough this book is considered the most authoritative source on that subject

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in influential
having power over the minds or behavior of others after a couple of authoritative critics panned the movie, the other reviewers rushed to say how awful it was

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of authoritative That is your source for authoritative information on election security—on election administration. Lily Hay Newman, WIRED, 5 Nov. 2024 The authoritative report features a comprehensive dataset on every light duty vehicle sold in the United States since 1975and provides sophisticated analysis of the major trends shaping the industry’s environmental outcomes. Peter Douglas, The Mercury News, 22 Dec. 2024 High-quality backlinks from reputable news sites and industry publications, often due to successful PR efforts, signal to search engines that a brand is trustworthy and authoritative. Amy Packard Berry, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024 It may have been dropped by an important and authoritative figure passing through the area, or it may have been deliberately buried. Ashlyn Messier, Fox News, 5 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for authoritative 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for authoritative
Adjective
  • Given that on landing its rotors broke off, that's a pretty definitive conclusion.
    David Szondy, New Atlas, 18 Jan. 2025
  • Crypto Confidential: Forbes' definitive guide to crypto and blockchain, delivered to your inbox every Saturday.
    Boaz Sobrado, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The top three raters on the site—all from Denmark—logged over 50,000 different beers, evidence of how the site was influential in driving consumers to taste different beers and share them with friends near and far.
    Don Tse, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
  • The event is known for gathering the world’s most influential leaders in business and politics.
    Ryan Browne, CNBC, 21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Over the past decade, during which the authoritarian Law and Justice party has ruled in Poland, the Centre has served as a staunch defender of independent research.
    Natalia Romik / Madę by History, TIME, 27 Jan. 2025
  • In this paradigm, the ideal worker is less like a corporate ally or a trusted collaborator and more like a subject of an authoritarian regime.
    Anna Wiener, The New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Prior to launching his wildly successful musical career, Peck studied acting at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) and worked in classical theater on London’s West End.
    Dave Quinn, People.com, 16 Jan. 2025
  • For a movie that looks so remarkably good – from the oppressive, classical set design to the astounding lighting work – Ash's (Rook this time around) uncanny comeback was a noticeable exception.
    Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The only thing left to contend with is her domineering mother, the formidable 90-year-old Lenore Simmons Krackenberry, who is obsessed with family lineage and Southern heritage.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 7 Jan. 2025
  • Smith is fantastic and terrifying as Mrs. Medlock in The Secret Garden, the stentorian nurse and housekeeper whose domineering overcautiousness feeds into all the self-pitying inclinations of her poor weakling charge Colin Craven.
    Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 27 Sep. 2024
Adjective
  • While some might have considered the project too niche, Kyle’s intuition about the product’s appeal seems to have been accurate, with even the X Games getting a taste of the product earlier this year.
    Alexander Puutio, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
  • Still, Republicans have said that even if that call was accurate, the C.I.A. failed in understanding other key events: how quickly the Afghan government could collapse, how Bashar al-Assad would flee Syria and how Hamas was preparing to attack Israel.
    Julian E. Barnes, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Julie Bowen and Christopher McDonald return as love interest Virginia Venit and arrogant rival Shooter McGavin, respectively, and the cast includes rookies like Bad Bunny, Travis Kelce and pro wrestler Maxwell Jacob Friedman.
    Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Those include genial second-year resident Dr. King (Taylor Dearden), arrogant intern Santos (Isa Briones), and doe-eyed med students Javadi (Shabana Azeez) and Whittaker (Gerran Howell).
    Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • That included discontinuing certain products, conducting a comprehensive internal review and taking disciplinary measures, making organizational changes and enhancing its internal controls.
    Tara Siegel Bernard, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Continue ahead for a comprehensive list of fashion and beauty brands that are committed to supporting the community in its time of need through donations of resources and/or a percentage proceeds to various relief funds.
    Shelby Ying Hyde, Vogue, 17 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near authoritative

Cite this Entry

“Authoritative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/authoritative. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

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