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
  • As content generated by artificial intelligence becomes more common, experts warn that tactics for spreading misinformation are only going to get more sophisticated—and harder to catch.
    — Simmone Shah, Time, 9 July 2025
  • That could be a reason why the owners are now seeking a buyer, suggested real estate industry expert George Mack, a principal with Cresa Capital Strategies, a commercial real estate advisory firm.
    — Daniel I. Dorfman, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2025
Definition of expert
Noun
  • Since it was established by Congress in 1990, the U.S. government has used TPS to give certain foreigners a temporary safe haven, if returning to their home countries is deemed too dangerous due to armed conflict, environmental disasters or other crises.
    — July 7, CBS News, 7 July 2025
  • The president claims that the debt projections are wrong, and that accelerated economic growth will compensate for the government’s loss of revenue.
    — Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 7 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
  • The Bewitching takes place across three timelines, and the author says that Shirley Jackson was a big influence for the sections focusing on Tremblay in the 1930s.
    — Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 15 July 2025
Definition of influence
Noun
  • Big Brother went from America voting out the houseguests to the housemates voting out their own with weekly competitions to have ultimate power as Head of Household.
    — Dalton Ross, EW.com, 5 July 2025
  • The vacuum adjusts suction power automatically to match your floor type, which also helps to optimize runtime.
    — Christopher Murray may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom., FOXNews.com, 5 July 2025
Definition of power
Noun
  • But rose water nails are currently enjoying a revival and flooding our FYPs for a couple of very good reasons.
    — Fiona Embleton, Glamour, 13 July 2025
  • Saturday, two plays didn’t work out for them for the slimmest of reasons.
    — Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 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
  • Upper Buffalo Land Becomes Wilderness Area Tom Foti is a master botanist and former ecologist/research chief at the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission.
    — arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 6 July 2025
  • Learn how to meal prep like a pro, create quick and nutritious grab-and-go options, and master time-saving hacks that keep you energized without the morning chaos.
    — Essence, Essence, 6 July 2025
Definition of master
Noun
  • Around the country, state lawmakers are twisting tax codes, raiding campus funds and rewriting financial rules to keep their flagship programs competitive.
    — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 July 2025
  • The rules on how the league decides on replacements are not public.
    — Matt Gelb, New York Times, 12 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 19 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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