AUTHORITATIVE Synonyms: 110 Similar and Opposite Words

authoritative

adjective

ə-ˈthȯr-ə-ˌtā-tiv

Definition of authoritative

as in definitive

being the most accurate and apparently thorough this book is considered the most authoritative source on that subject

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in influential

having power over the minds or behavior of others after a couple of authoritative critics panned the movie, the other reviewers rushed to say how awful it was

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in authoritarian

fond of ordering people around she's very authoritative for someone who doesn't actually outrank us

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Recent Examples of authoritative Responses may contain errors, omissions, or outdated information and should not be relied upon as authoritative. — Emily Mercer, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026 That can flatten an important distinction between data that is available and data that is authoritative. — Nick Burling, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026 Someone has to decide which source is authoritative when two conflict. — Han Wang, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026 Vaughan’s voice was warm, authoritative, and unmistakably English. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for authoritative

Recent Examples of Synonyms for authoritative

Adjective

Any figure presented as a definitive statistic for a single year should be read with that in mind.

— William Jones, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026
But, in a lifetime of work, his photographs for Harper’s Bazaar remain definitive.

— Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of definitive

Adjective

William Perkins, an influential proponent of witch fever in late sixteenth-century England, notes that any miraculous power a witch or her objects appears to have is merely borrowed from Satan.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026
The federal government is planning to dramatically shrink its most influential health survey, and some researchers worry that the changes will underestimate how many Americans are disabled.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of influential

Adjective

El Sistema was founded decades before Hugo Chavez came to power in a populist revolution that quickly turned authoritarian.

— Max Feliu, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026
What readers are saying The comments express overwhelming disapproval and outrage over the idea of live-streaming a public execution, likening it to barbaric practices of authoritarian regimes and terrorist groups.

— Aoife Walsh, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of authoritarian

Adjective

Isabel Cárdenes, a master's student at Curtis, is using her instrument to explore her Cuban heritage while expanding the possibilities of the harp in classical music.

— Madeleine Wright, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
Alan Mandell, a classical actor and renowned interpreter of playwright Samuel Beckett’s work, died Tuesday at his home in Westwood at the age of 98.

— Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of classical

Adjective

Sources said Gunning plays Annie, a quietly dutiful wife who has sacrificed her ambitions to raise four sons under her domineering husband, Duncan.

— Matt Grobar, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2026
Fern proves himself as a true actor’s director, offering plum roles to Paulson, Watts and two-time Oscar winner Dianne Wiest as their chaotic and domineering mother.

— David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of domineering

Adjective

State officials said the isolated instances of noncitizens voting, if accurate, are not evidence of widespread voter fraud.

— Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
To make good decisions, consumers need to rely on accurate information, but much of the hype around peptides is misleading.

— Amy Maxmen, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of accurate

Adjective

As reported, Moncler reprised its Re/Icons project that celebrates archival pieces, first introduced in 2023, adding a comprehensive ready-to-wear collection — a first for the initiative.

— Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
But the regulator said none has fully acknowledged past debanking decisions or created a comprehensive program to remediate affected customers.

— Luke Fountain, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026