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 After taking Robinson into custody, authorities played back the phone call that was made for him. —Jon Haworth, ABC News, 9 June 2025 No less of a spiritual authority than the late Pope Francis said there’s a place for pets in paradise. —John Blake, CNN Money, 8 June 2025 Speaking at a press briefing in 2022, Chen Lei, an inspector from Xinjiang’s Rural Revitalization Bureau, indicated that the authorities aimed to increase the number of workers moved to other parts of China by a third in 2023 to more than 38,000, according to a government report posted online. —David Pierson, New York Times, 29 May 2025 The foundations of human persuasion are well-documented, perhaps most famously by Dr. Robert Cialdini, who outlined principles like reciprocity, scarcity, authority, commitment and consistency, liking, and social proof. —Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 29 May 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
  • The younger generation isn’t just reluctant to have kids, but also to get married due to bleak job prospects, a high cost of living and a gender-biased corporate culture that adds extra burdens for women and working mothers, experts say.
    — Alix Martichoux, The Hill, 15 June 2025
  • One community that's especially vulnerable, experts say, are victims of domestic violence.
    — / CBS News, CBS News, 15 June 2025
Definition of expert
Noun
  • The move suggests that the US government wants to bolster its programming into Iran.
    — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 13 June 2025
  • Noam Ross, an ecologist and data scientist, began digging through government databases to see whether the terminations could be tracked.
    — John Drake, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
Definition of government
Noun
  • In a city like New York, defined by its unmatched diversity across race, culture, and socioeconomic background, lasting change requires collaboration between institutions with different influence levers.
    — Sindhya Valloppillil, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • The Voice of the Culture Award is presented to ASCAP members who have had a major influence on music and culture, recognizing their success as creators and changemakers.
    — Kyle Denis, Billboard, 9 June 2025
Definition of influence
Noun
  • While the Marines are expected to avoid direct engagement with demonstrators, the symbolism of active-duty troops patrolling the streets of Los Angeles has reignited deep political tensions and legal debates over the limits of federal power.
    — Nik Popli, Time, 11 June 2025
  • And in Harlem, stars gathered at the Apollo Theater for its 2025 Spring Benefit, rounding out a week filled with excellence, elegance, and undeniable Black star power.
    — Okla Jones, Essence, 10 June 2025
Definition of power
Noun
  • And both have, for different reasons, chosen to confront the very institutions and leaders that have helped sustain their growth.
    — Joel Shulman, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
  • Musk vehemently opposes the bill for this reason − after all, wasn't the whole point of DOGE to cut waste and reduce spending?
    — Charles Trepany, USA Today, 7 June 2025
Definition of reason
Noun
  • Climate change and shifting food sources are also causing species-wide population declines, the experts said.
    — Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 8 June 2025
  • Yerevan has since sought to diversify its defense sources, reducing arms imports from Russia to as low as 10 percent by 2024.
    — Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025
Definition of source
Noun
  • So Julie has become the master of this realm inside the cave and inside this enormous pile of bones.
    — Ari Daniel, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 June 2025
  • His Damn Right Farewell tour is a celebration of his extraordinary career for fans to have the opportunity to witness a blues master at work.
    — Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2025
Definition of master
Noun
  • Though this deal brings some uniformity to the rules, states still have separate laws regarding how NIL can be doled out, which could lead to legal challenges.
    — Eddie Pells, Baltimore Sun, 7 June 2025
  • Supporters say the new rules are necessary to keep California on track for its climate goals.
    — Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
Definition of rule

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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 18 Jun. 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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