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

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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

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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 Zoom in: In being the first to call Arizona for Joe Biden in 2020, Fox News established itself as an authoritative voice on election night coverage, even if pollsters disagree on how the call was made. Sara Fischer, Axios, 29 Oct. 2024 Reminding students to stay skeptical about the provenance of a picture and the origins of a provocative fact while pointing them to authoritative sources will diminish the potency of disinformation campaigns. Meg Little Reilly, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024 Since the fragmentation of the comics distribution system in 2020 and 2021, authoritative sales data at the distributor level has been harder to come by. Rob Salkowitz, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024 No single person or entity like a bank would be in charge of keeping what would be considered the authoritative record. Laura Shin, TIME, 29 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for authoritative 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for authoritative
Adjective
  • Crypto Confidential: Forbes' definitive guide to crypto and blockchain, delivered to your inbox every Saturday.
    Marie Poteriaieva, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
  • Researchers have long thought that proto-cuneiform developed from these early accounting methods, but there was no definitive link to show how the transition occurred.
    Ashley Strickland, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The nation’s most influential newspaper has essentially anointed Newsom as the leader of resistance to Trump, which is not a bad start on a 2028 campaign for the presidency, especially now that Vice President Kamala Harris is out of the way — if, indeed, that’s Newsom’s unstated ambition.
    Dan Walters, Orange County Register, 9 Nov. 2024
  • Related Articles Elias: ‘California Forever’ ballot measure could’ve been hugely influential Elias: California’s Nov. 5 ballot not lacking for consequential issues One thing that’s for sure is Newsom will not have much influence over the race to replace him.
    Thomas Elias, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • In our age of brutal wars, authoritarian politics, cultures of contempt, and technology that promises to replace us with machines, what is left of the idea of the human being?
    George Packer, The Atlantic, 5 Nov. 2024
  • Autocratic The autocratic style is also known as authoritarian leadership.
    Jason Miller, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • There are a number of events running concurrently with the skate rink, including Flashback Fridays with Classic Hits 103.7 radio station personalities playing hits from the 1980s; classical music on lazy Sunday mornings and a Black Friday dance party to burn off those Thanksgiving calories.
    Randy McMullen, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024
  • Executives should identify where quantum computing can complement classical systems in their operations and begin integrating these solutions incrementally.
    Yuval Boger, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • But soon enough, all three have arrived at the Morrow estate in rural Nebraska, where the aftereffects of Carlyle’s cruel, domineering parenting still echo.
    Emily C. Hughes, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2024
  • Shelby Taylor Former girlfriend of Murch, the domineering Shelby goes on hit The Real Housewives TV show franchise, and is now a prominent reality television star.
    Okla Jones, Essence, 22 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • Combining genetics with historical information and archeological evidence allows researchers to paint both a more complete and more accurate picture, and demonstrates how teamwork from different disciplines can unearth rich, complex stories.
    Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 7 Nov. 2024
  • This is where the LG G4 really excels, with colors that are just as accurate and much closer to covering the full digital cinema color space.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 6 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Manji will appear as Crispin, an arrogant, pompous employee at a fancy, high-end hardware store who snubs George.
    Katie Campione, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2024
  • My 21-year-old grandson is a dramatic and arrogant know-it-all.
    Jeanne Phillips, The Mercury News, 26 Sep. 2024
Adjective
  • Thanks to comprehensive smoke-free laws and other tobacco control policies, smoking rates in the United States are at historic low levels, with 11.5% of U.S. adults smoking in 2021.
    David Stempel, The Mercury News, 9 Nov. 2024
  • The company reported a comprehensive loss of $2.7 million for the quarter, compared to $2.2 million in the previous year.
    Quartz Bot, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near authoritative

Cite this Entry

“Authoritative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/authoritative. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

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