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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 mere hours, the river rose by many feet, the authorities and residents said, overtaking its banks and pouring into people’s homes, including in Poza Rica, a small working-class city in Veracruz State. Cristopher Rogel Blanquet, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025 Zettel's murder comes years after a restraining order against her daughter expired and several distressing incidents involving Lauren Spors were reported to authorities in the last decade. David Clarey, jsonline.com, 17 Oct. 2025 That individual provided authorities with the name of the street in Southfield where the vehicle had been parked and soon after, Michigan State Police managed to find the remains and identify them as being those of Thomas. Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025 But state resources don’t have any authority over an HOA to help open up more spots, Chesnut said. Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for authority
Recent Examples of Synonyms for authority
Noun
  • Earlier this week, OpenAI announced a council of eight experts who will advise the company and provide insight into how AI affects users’ mental health, emotions and motivation.
    Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2025
  • This is done in an effort to overwhelm Ukraine’s air defenses and decimate civilian morale, experts have said.
    Catherine Nicholls, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Delhi has been consistently prioritizing cold interests over all else—engaging with the junta in Myanmar, refraining from openly criticizing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, engaging both Iran and Israel, and getting closer toward recognizing the Taliban as Afghanistan’s official government.
    Happymon Jacob, Time, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Many of them had easy access to government offices that enabled them to obtain genuine Syrian passports with fake names, according to former employees and regime figures.
    Danny Makki, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Frehley’s friends and fellow musicians remembered him and his influence.
    Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Critics have also said that political portrayals of Antifa as a unified or centrally directed domestic terror group exaggerate its organization and influence.
    Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The last airstrikes in Kabul by a foreign power were in 2022 when the US killed al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri, according to ACLED data, Pandya said.
    Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Recovering and processing that gas, instead of wasting it, could ease Iraq's chronic power shortages.
    Emma Graham, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • When looking for reasons the Nuggets will win a championship, Braun belongs high on the checklist.
    Troy Renck, Denver Post, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Same reason Japanese sensation Roki Sasaki – who has emerged as the Dodgers’ surprise solution at closer – brought his talents here.
    Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 17 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Two sources told Fortune that Amazon’s human resources division—known internally as PXT or the People eXperience Technology team—will be hard hit, but that other areas of Amazon’s core consumer business are also likely to be affected.
    Jason Del Rey, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2025
  • The results weren't perfect — for the third quarter in a row, Wells Fargo missed the consensus estimate for NII, a crucial revenue source for traditional banks.
    Jeff Marks, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • That unit, which leads the NFL in scoring (34 points per game), will put a lot of pressure on the Chiefs’ defense because of their effectiveness both on the ground and through the air.
    Mike Jones, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
  • When the Dallas Cowboys acquired George Pickens in a trade, some questioned whether the wide receiver’s volatility would outweigh his effectiveness.
    Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Amber has since earned her master's in social work from Louisiana State University (LSU), per the family's Instagram.
    Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Zarco trained Abdiel Iván Batista, a master jungle rescue instructor who is the director of the Chagres Survival School, CEO of the Safe Jungles Foundation and member of the Panamanian Red Cross First Aid Corps.
    Kit Bernardi, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Authority.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/authority. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.

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