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
Relevance
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
as in authoritarian
fond of ordering people around
she's very authoritative for someone who doesn't actually outrank us
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of authoritative
Modern viewers have short-attention spans and the ones who still watch broadcast TV still gravitate to an authoritative solo figure who talks to them about politics, natural disasters, overseas drama and even popular culture.
—
Brian Steinberg, Variety, 27 Jan. 2025
But this information is not revealed through title cards or authoritative talking heads.
—Esther Zuckerman, IndieWire, 25 Jan. 2025
Publication of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's authoritative scientific publication, the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, has also been delayed, health officials said.
—CBS News, 24 Jan. 2025
The development cements Nielsen's reputation as the most authoritative provider of TV measurement.
—Kerry Flynn, Axios, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for authoritative 
Brian Steinberg, Variety, 27 Jan. 2025
But this information is not revealed through title cards or authoritative talking heads.
—Esther Zuckerman, IndieWire, 25 Jan. 2025
Publication of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's authoritative scientific publication, the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, has also been delayed, health officials said.
—CBS News, 24 Jan. 2025
The development cements Nielsen's reputation as the most authoritative provider of TV measurement.
—Kerry Flynn, Axios, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for authoritative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for authoritative
Adjective
-
The dual themes gave audiences plenty to unpack and the references mentioned here are not by any means a definitive or exhaustive list of all that was included.—
Kevin Dolak,
The Hollywood Reporter,
10 Feb. 2025
-
This 1989 build is No. 26 of the 29 made, and one of nine finished in the model’s definitive Blutengelb (Blossom Yellow) paint.—
Howard Walker,
Robb Report,
10 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
There are few books more influential on scholars’ understanding of class than historian E. P. Thompson’s 1963 The Making of the English Working Class, which discussed the role of laborers and artisans, drawing on their own subjective experiences, in forming the class as a coherent group.—
Livia Gershon,
JSTOR Daily,
2 Feb. 2025
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Russia's influential community of military bloggers suggested that Moscow had used a Kronshtadt Orion missile-capable drone against the naval drone, the Institute for the Study of War (), a U.S. think tank following the conflict, said on Saturday.—
Ellie Cook,
Newsweek,
2 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Serbia’s authoritarian leader should be riding high, lifted by economic growth that is four times the European average, falling unemployment and steadily rising wages.—
Andrew Higgins,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2025
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Trump’s decision will force many civil-society organizations in Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua, El Salvador and other Latin American authoritarian countries to shut down or drastically reduce their operations, leaders of some of these groups told me.—
Andres Oppenheimer,
Miami Herald,
7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Mixed media artist Zhou constructs mutating digital landscapes that confound classical notions of scale, composition, and visual realism.—
Samantha Bergeson,
IndieWire,
10 Feb. 2025
-
To validate her music, Pet Acoustics completed a study where dogs in kennels listened to no music, classical music by the likes of Beethoven and Mozart, and music by Marlow.—
Mark Dent,
thehustle.co,
7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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He’s had something of a habit of playing domineering fathers, doing so on Ugly Betty (2006–2007) and as Charles Widmore on Lost (2006–2010).—
Sezin Devi Koehler,
EW.com,
8 Feb. 2025
-
The stress of being a loyal husband and father while toiling tirelessly at Spacely Space Sprockets – headed by a domineering man with a Napoleon complex – seems to float away as the zooming saucer-like aero cars with large bubble roofs leave behind popcorn-like residue from fuel pellets and radium.—
Natasha Gural,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Forecasts have to take the changing climate into account to be accurate, no matter who is creating the forecast.—
Christine Wiedinmyer,
The Conversation,
11 Feb. 2025
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The 4-foot-diameter (1.2-meter-diameter) telescope’s primary goal is to observe dark matter and dark energy and to create the largest and most accurate three-dimensional map of the universe.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN,
11 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Saxon, for instance, is filling the same spoiled, arrogant space as Jake Lacy’s Shane from Season One.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
11 Feb. 2025
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From director James Ashcroft (Coming Home in the Dark), who co-wrote the script with Eli Kent, The Rule of Jenny Pen centers on arrogant judge Stefan Mortensen (Rush), who has to live in a retirement home after a near-fatal stroke leaves him partially paralyzed.—
Sydney Bucksbaum,
EW.com,
3 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
There is also little doubt those comprehensive plans went up in flames.—
Josh Klein,
New York Daily News,
9 Feb. 2025
-
The top 25 airlines all meet a list of specific requirements, such as providing a comprehensive full-service experience, and having an economy seat pitch of a minimum of 31 inches.—
Tamara Hardingham-Gill,
CNN,
9 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near authoritative
Cite this Entry
“Authoritative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/authoritative. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
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