1
as in expert
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 government
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 influence
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 power
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 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
7
as in effectiveness
the capacity to persuade
a strict grammarian whose pronouncements carried plenty of authority with my third-grade English teacher
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of authority
After the suspects were taken into custody, authorities said both individuals were found to have active out-of-state warrants.
—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
2 July 2026
After Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in Los Angeles, several people filed a lawsuit in July 2025 alleging authorities questioned them without justification.
—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
1 July 2026
How the office will change All of the state superintendent’s authority will transfer to the education commissioner, who will be named by the governor and then approved by the state Senate.
—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
1 July 2026
Running with authority down the stretch, Hit Show rolled home ahead of some of the world’s best race horses at odds of 50 to 1.
—
Danny Brewer,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for authority
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
2 July 2026
After Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in Los Angeles, several people filed a lawsuit in July 2025 alleging authorities questioned them without justification.
—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
1 July 2026
How the office will change All of the state superintendent’s authority will transfer to the education commissioner, who will be named by the governor and then approved by the state Senate.
—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
1 July 2026
Running with authority down the stretch, Hit Show rolled home ahead of some of the world’s best race horses at odds of 50 to 1.
—
Danny Brewer,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for authority
Recent Examples of Synonyms for authority
Noun
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But this should be guided and individualized by the right expert in terms of counseling and determining both the risks and benefits of sports based on the cardiac diagnosis and type of sport engaged in by the athlete.
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Sandy Baum, an expert in education finance with the Urban Institute, said the new loan limits are unreasonably low, but uncapped borrowing was a real problem and some restrictions are necessary.
Noun
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The order aimed to create a voluntary mechanism for AI companies to give the government early access to their most advanced systems, allowing officials to vet the models for security risks before their public release.
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Nathan Freed Wessler, deputy director of the ACLU's speech, privacy and technology project, said the First Amendment guarantees the right to criticize the government.
Noun
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Its influence traveled through a globally recognizable set of products and ideals, all centered on the American Dream.
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He was raised in Tiberias and Eilat, outside Israel’s traditional centers of power and influence.
Noun
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Junior Caminero has already done some things no Rays players had ever accomplished, such as extending his sizzling power show on Friday to include hitting 10 home runs over a 10-game span.
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Plus, the power port includes three electrical outlets and three USB ports for powering appliances, speakers, and other devices.
Noun
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But this also is among the reasons her books are considered must-reads in the classroom, and contemporary classics.
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The Los Angeles Dodgers made headlines in 2025 for a number of reasons.
Noun
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The source claimed that the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star checked into the facility voluntarily.
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Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are expected to take over Madison Square Garden for two events celebrating their wedding, ABC News and CNN reported on June 30, citing sources familiar with the plans.
Noun
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Mathematically, if quality is seven and acceptance is four, effectiveness is 28.
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For Tokyo, that complicates the effectiveness of any unilateral intervention.
Noun
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While theology and ministry studies were designated as nonprofessional, the master of divinity degree often pursued by eventual pastors or ministers does retain professional status.
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In one mega master in San Antonio, Texas, out of the 175 cases ordered to appear before a judge one morning, about 40 people didn’t show up, said attorney Jessica Smith Bobadilla.
Cite this Entry
“Authority.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/authority. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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