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as in reason
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

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as in source
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

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun authority contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of authority are command, control, dominion, jurisdiction, power, and sway. While all these words mean "the right to govern or rule or determine," authority implies power for a specific purpose within specified limits.

granted the authority to manage her estate

When is command a more appropriate choice than authority?

While the synonyms command and authority are close in meaning, command implies the power to make arbitrary decisions and compel obedience.

the army officer in command

When would control be a good substitute for authority?

The meanings of control and authority largely overlap; however, control stresses the power to direct and restrain.

you are responsible for the students under your control

When might dominion be a better fit than authority?

The words dominion and authority can be used in similar contexts, but dominion stresses sovereign power or supreme authority.

given dominion over all the animals

When can jurisdiction be used instead of authority?

In some situations, the words jurisdiction and authority are roughly equivalent. However, jurisdiction applies to official power exercised within prescribed limits.

the bureau having jurisdiction over parks

In what contexts can power take the place of authority?

The words power and authority are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, power implies possession of ability to wield force, authority, or influence.

the power to mold public opinion

When could sway be used to replace authority?

The synonyms sway and authority are sometimes interchangeable, but sway suggests the extent of exercised power or influence.

the empire extended its sway over the region

Example 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 authority In 2024, federal authorities said Kante violated the terms of his supervised release. Alexa Ashwell, Baltimore Sun, 17 Jan. 2025 However, authorities have not said that these two incidents are connected. Dan Perry, Newsweek, 5 Jan. 2025 The group, which traveled aboard a U.S. Air Force aircraft, was greeted at the Toussaint Louverture International Airport by Haitian authorities including the head of the Presidential Transitional Council, Leslie Voltaire, Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé and police chief Rameau Normil. Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 4 Jan. 2025 The Daily Mail and the Honolulu Star-Advertiser also have identified two women — who authorities say both died at the scene — as sisters. Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 4 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for authority 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for authority
Noun
  • Other experts pointed out that the order could have a chilling effect on relations between government agencies and tech platforms, potentially harming national security.
    Hadas Gold and Liam Reilly, CNN, 22 Jan. 2025
  • But experts say detection software can misidentify writing as AI-generated.
    Rachel Hale, USA TODAY, 22 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Much of the Biden EO is already implemented across federal agencies, but a requirement for developers of the most advanced AI models to share the results of safety testing with the government is now gone.
    Maria Curi, Axios, 21 Jan. 2025
  • Overhauling federal bureaucracy Trump has halted federal government hires, excepting the military and other parts of government that went unnamed.
    Bill Barrow, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • With America’s population shifting to the South, political influence is seeping from reliably Democratic states to areas controlled by Republicans.
    Jonathan J. Cooper and Kevin S. Vineys, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Islam likely travelled to the region with Arab traders, but the erasure of earlier worship systems was the result of a series of knotty events entwined with foreign influences bent on the very existence of the small nation as an integral unit.
    Rob Crossan, JSTOR Daily, 17 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • This process requires a lot of computational power, which can cause your system to slow down drastically.
    Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 18 Jan. 2025
  • The power of PileMate in Sag Harbor is prominent, especially in wintertime.
    Lauren Carpenter, USA TODAY, 18 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • What Nafisi does best, and the reason her work has endured, is precisely to refuse cartoonish portrayals and basic morality plays.
    Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 26 Jan. 2025
  • The reason: In many parts of North Carolina, there is only one poultry company that contracts with farmers.
    Ames Alexander, Charlotte Observer, 26 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Despite the loss, Washington's journey to this stage provided a source of excitement and pride to their supporters.
    Lydia Mee, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025
  • Capturing wildlife to sell to exporters can be an important income source for rural communities around the world, especially in Africa.
    Alice Catherine Hughes, The Conversation, 28 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Vahe was an English major at the University of Pennsylvania and earned his master’s degree at Mizzou.
    Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 19 Jan. 2025
  • Camila graduated from Arizona State University with a master’s degree in mass communication.
    Hannah Poukish, Sacramento Bee, 17 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The pro-life rule was first started in the Reagan administration.
    Elaine Mallon, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 25 Jan. 2025
  • Our fabulous intuition suggests the man holding the bag, will be CBS’ rules analyst Gene Steratore.
    Bob Raissman, New York Daily News, 25 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near authority

Cite this Entry

“Authority.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/authority. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on authority

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