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

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 authoritative These thought leaders are seen not just as market participants but as authoritative voices that shape industry trends. Melissa Houston, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025 The authoritative analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo from TFI Securities, has also indicated these are the dimensions. David Phelan, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025 The extreme heat in large parts of the world during 2024 contributed significantly to a jump in global energy demand, an authoritative new report says. Andrew Freedman, Axios, 25 Mar. 2025 These standards seemed authoritative in part because of their vaunted universality. Manvir Singh, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2025 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.
    Andrea Tinianow, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Written by Mexican composer José Alfredo Jiménez in 1971, the song gained even greater prominence when Fernández recorded his definitive version two years later.
    Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The 404 Collective was formed by some of Atlanta’s most influential voices, bringing together leaders from marketing, music, and cultural movements to shape the city's creative landscape.
    Cassell Ferere, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Confronting this shadowy threat to kids everywhere, Mani was named as one of TIME's most influential people in AI last year due to her advocacy fighting deepfakes.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Other writers and artists have also begun to mine this era for clues to China’s current authoritarian malaise.
    Ian Johnson, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2025
  • The obvious split between a democratic Taiwan and an authoritarian China is an uncontestable reality and is part of the international consensus.
    Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The cancellations span genres and geographies — from indie singer-songwriters to renowned classical performers — many of whom had already secured the necessary paperwork before ultimately backing out.
    Alex Ashley, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Kronos Quartet Over more than five decades, musicians in this venerable contemporary classical group have paid homage to Sun Ra and incorporated space sounds recorded by NASA into their music.
    Neda Ulaby, NPR, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Carrie is described as a reimagining of the story of misfit high-schooler Carrie White, who has spent her life in seclusion with her domineering mother.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Perhaps most frustrating to Mainers: the domineering influence of Boston in the state’s government.
    Made by History, Time, 7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Garland handed the character work of directing to Mendoza to honor the project’s one abiding rule: sticking without exception to an utterly accurate recounting.
    Fred Schruers, IndieWire, 10 Apr. 2025
  • But the ability to navigate this uncertainty depends on high-quality, accurate data—particularly supplier master data—which is easier said than done.
    Sarah Jones, Sourcing Journal, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Ava Daniels is a young comedy writer who is unable to find work due to an insensitive tweet and her reputation for being self-centered and arrogant.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • And the villains, of course, exuding every nastily relatable emotion; the stepmothers and sorceresses are vain, arrogant, dismissive, lonely, rude, and outrageous.
    Darren Franich, Vulture, 26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • In a comprehensive, step-by-step Reddit guide published on r/DHGate, user FabulousNinja8399 shares that this medal signals a seller has achieved the highest grade a store can receive: ACE status.
    Francesca Krempa, StyleCaster, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The industry event expects approximately 200 participants from Europe, Asia, Canada, and Latin America, offering a comprehensive program of lectures, case studies, labs, one-on-one meetings, and networking events.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Authoritative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/authoritative. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on authoritative

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!