AUTHORITY Synonyms: 180 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

authority

noun

ə-ˈthȯr-ə-tē

Definition of authority next

as in expert

a person with a high level of knowledge or skill in a field the leading authority on neural anatomy

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Relevance

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as in government

lawful control over the affairs of a political unit (as a nation) the sheriff had authority over the whole county

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as in influence

the power to direct the thinking or behavior of others usually indirectly speaks with a persuasive authority on matters of public health

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as in power

the right or means to command or control others by the authority vested in me, I now pronounce you married

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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

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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

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as in effectiveness

the capacity to persuade a strict grammarian whose pronouncements carried plenty of authority with my third-grade English teacher

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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

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 authority Bob Herman Dec 1, 2021 - Health Supreme Court weighs whether hospital drug cuts are valid The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments Tuesday about whether the federal government had the authority to cut hospitals' payments for outpatient drugs. —

Maya Goldman, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024 Cooperation between the French and Dutch authorities has been underway for many months, the source said. —

Nancy Ing, NBC News, 5 Nov. 2024 The Tariff Act of 1930 gives CBP authority to detain, further examine or seize goods that violate laws ranging from country of origin to intellectual property rights. —

Lauren Parker, Sourcing Journal, 5 Nov. 2024 Two Redding parents were arrested Tuesday on suspicion of killing their 2-year-old child and burying her body in the wilderness, authorities said. —

Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for authority

Recent Examples of Synonyms for authority

Noun

However, some tax experts say that higher tariffs would cause a financial burden on low- to moderate-income taxpayers due to the potential for higher consumer costs.

Tribune News Service, Twin Cities, 15 Nov. 2024
Some experts foresee the biggest impact on retail goods such as electronics and apparel, as the U.S. imports only about 15% of its food supply.

J.J. McCorvey, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024