1
as in experts
a person with a high level of knowledge or skill in a field
the leading authority on neural anatomy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in governments
lawful control over the affairs of a political unit (as a nation)
the sheriff had authority over the whole county
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in influences
the power to direct the thinking or behavior of others usually indirectly
speaks with a persuasive authority on matters of public health
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in powers
the right or means to command or control others
by the authority vested in me, I now pronounce you married
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in reasons
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
6
as in sources
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of authorities
With no way to communicate, the surviving man, identified as Paul Council, located a canoe and made his way back to North Hero to alert the authorities of the incident.
—
Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
Following Zhao’s resignation as CEO, Binance installed Richard Teng, a former financial regulator in the UAE and Singapore, as head of the company to telegraph to authorities that the exchange was focused on compliance.
—Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2025
The victim was injured in the attack but declined medical treatment when authorities arrived, according to officials.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Rozier’s March 2023 game was referenced by authorities during Thursday’s press conference.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
Officials had received two mail-in ballots, one from Miller and one from her mother, who died in August 2024, authorities said.
—Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2025
The Accent was set on fire and later taken to a junkyard, where it was recovered by authorities, Toczylowski said.
—Doha Madani, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2025
People saw this strange-looking rock and tried to pick it up, but none could until this innocent little boy succeeded, delivering it to authorities.
—JSTOR Daily, 16 Oct. 2025
Then, on Wednesday night, deputies returned to the home and Ashlee Buzzard was there, but Melodee was not, authorities said.
—Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2025
Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
Following Zhao’s resignation as CEO, Binance installed Richard Teng, a former financial regulator in the UAE and Singapore, as head of the company to telegraph to authorities that the exchange was focused on compliance.
—Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2025
The victim was injured in the attack but declined medical treatment when authorities arrived, according to officials.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Rozier’s March 2023 game was referenced by authorities during Thursday’s press conference.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
Officials had received two mail-in ballots, one from Miller and one from her mother, who died in August 2024, authorities said.
—Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2025
The Accent was set on fire and later taken to a junkyard, where it was recovered by authorities, Toczylowski said.
—Doha Madani, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2025
People saw this strange-looking rock and tried to pick it up, but none could until this innocent little boy succeeded, delivering it to authorities.
—JSTOR Daily, 16 Oct. 2025
Then, on Wednesday night, deputies returned to the home and Ashlee Buzzard was there, but Melodee was not, authorities said.
—Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for authorities
Noun
-
CEOs and experts have criticized universities for failing to keep up with the times; now that AI is here to stay, students had better be prepared to leverage it in their roles.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Fat that sits deep in the abdomen and surrounds vital organs is particularly dangerous, fueling inflammation, insulin resistance and cardiovascular problems, according to experts.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Italy, with its revolving-door governments, and Greece, with its bailouts and austerity hangovers.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
28 Oct. 2025
-
And nonprofit organizations must step up and work together in partnership with other anti-hunger organizations, older adult providers, and local and state governments to continue this invaluable research.—
Beth Shapiro,
Time,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
This means workbooks about the themes of a famous piece of classic literature, or perhaps a study guide on the influences of a particular author.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
27 Oct. 2025
-
The frogs were found in three areas, and each area has significant human influences, according to the study.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Later that century the rising importance of waterborne commerce for Europe’s maritime powers helped motivate efforts to map Earth’s magnetic field.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Oct. 2025
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Helen sends him on an off-the-books job to the London Mother House to use his mind-probing powers on Jasper (William Fichtner), a powerful vampire with a personal vendetta against the Talamasca.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Due process requires a commitment to the reasons punishment is sought and thus allows those reasons to be addressed and countered.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Advertisers still crave the broad, simultaneous viewership such extravaganzas generate, and marketers that in the past might not have spent heavily on sports now see new reasons to do so.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
During the formative phase of the infant American republic, when its survival was still problematic, iconic founders performed a valuable function as reliable sources of unquestioned wisdom, a veritable gallery of Delphic oracles available on demand.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Oct. 2025
-
While federal grand juries operate in secrecy, any connection between their proceedings and political claims remains speculative unless confirmed by official sources.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
This multi-day gathering invites spiritual leaders, renowned scholars and creative thinkers from around the world to engage in a thoughtful and insightful dialogue on pressing social issues.—
Maggie Menderski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Critics, including legal scholars and lawmakers, argue the campaign violates international law by targeting civilians without due process.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The new rules went into effect for the 72nd Miss Universe pageant in 2023, according to an internal memo obtained by The National.—
Tabitha Parent,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
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If the high court rules in the favor of the comptroller general who filed the suit, the port sale would be annulled.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Authorities.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/authorities. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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