authority

noun

ə-ˈthȯr-ə-tē How to pronounce authority (audio)
Definition of authoritynext
1
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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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3
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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4
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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5
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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6
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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7
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Bell called on two friends and armed himself with an AK-47 rifle, authorities said. —David Fischer, Sun Sentinel, 15 July 2025 Ukrainian authorities reported that four civilians were killed and 13 others injured in Russian attacks on the Donetsk and Kherson regions since Saturday. —arkansasonline.com, 14 July 2025 This means moving beyond keywords and building content around buyer intent, clear answers, and proof of authority. —Forrester, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025 The bodies' heads were discovered nearby in a plastic bag, authorities said, according to the Associated Press. —Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for authority
Recent Examples of Synonyms for authority
  1. expert
  2. government
  3. influence
  4. power
  5. reason
  6. source
  7. master
  8. rule
Noun
  • Though Haack's solo show may be canceled, the design expert has been working on another special project — her very own champagne line called Clé Cachée.
    — Natalia Senanayake, People.com, 21 July 2025
  • As the deadline approaches for Congress to renew the U.S. Farm Bill, agricultural experts and farmers are calling on legislators to prioritize protecting topsoil in the Midwest and throughout the country, especially as the federal government is withdrawing from conservation initiatives.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 21 July 2025
Definition of expert
Noun
  • At the same time, the federal government's share would drop from 50 percent to 25 percent.
    — Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 July 2025
  • The federal government suggests adults get at least 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight (or 0.36 per pound), which is 51 grams for a 140-pound woman who isn't pregnant or breastfeeding.
    — Reyna Gobel, NPR, 19 July 2025
Definition of government
Noun
  • Those descriptors are accurate enough, as the band themselves have been upfront and proud about their influences: Lucinda Williams, Fleetwood Mac, Neil Young, Bill Callahan, the Beatles.
    — Leah Lu, Rolling Stone, 15 July 2025
  • However, the evidence is mixed; researchers think larger studies are needed to understand caffeine's influence on this condition.15 What Are the Potential Downsides of Cloud Coffee?
    — Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 15 July 2025
Definition of influence
Noun
  • Both political parties have tested the line in trying to harness the power of the pulpit, with many Republicans wooing evangelical leaders while Democrats often try to curry favor with Black churches.
    — Tiffany Li, ABC News, 15 July 2025
  • Wimbledon has always been the chicest of the Grand Slam tournaments, but this year’s reached a fever pitch of star power and style.
    — Leigh Nordstrom, Footwear News, 15 July 2025
Definition of power
Noun
  • The top reason students opt not to pursue higher education is cost, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board states, though having a degree can drastically increase earnings.
    — Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 25 July 2025
  • Law enforcement determined the child is not a runaway, and a custody dispute is not the sole reason for requesting an activation.
    — Wren Smetana, AZCentral.com, 25 July 2025
Definition of reason
Noun
  • The senior bonus deduction, Watson points out, applies to any source of taxable income that a taxpayer who is 65 or older has and may not necessarily eliminate all tax on Social Security benefits.
    — Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 14 July 2025
  • One anonymous source donated 40 units, but since then, White said, there have been few, if any, such offerings.
    — Jerry Shnay, Chicago Tribune, 14 July 2025
Definition of source
Noun
  • Prior to running The Pitt's emergency department like a pro, the master was just a med student on ER.
    — Shania Russell, EW.com, 15 July 2025
  • Moore connected with Fiorito, then an Arizona State University master of fine arts student, in 2004.
    — Laura Gersony, AZCentral.com, 15 July 2025
Definition of master
Noun
  • What if my neighbor doesn't follow Milwaukee's rules about weeds and grass?
    — Quinn Clark, jsonline.com, 25 July 2025
  • Her charges, as a rule, have been greatly comforted in their final moments.
    — Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 24 July 2025
Definition of rule

Browse Nearby Words

authorities
authority
authorization
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Cite this Entry

“Authority.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/authority. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on authority

Nglish: Translation of authority for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about authority

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