authoritative

adjective

au·​thor·​i·​ta·​tive ə-ˈthȯr-ə-ˌtā-tiv 

ȯ-, 

-ˈthär-

1

: having, marked by, or proceeding from authority

authoritative church doctrines

an authoritative decision

an authoritative manner

2

: possessing recognized or evident authority : clearly accurate or knowledgeable

an authoritative critique

an authoritative source of information

authoritatively adverb

authoritativeness noun

Synonyms of authoritative

• definitive
• classical
• accurate
• comprehensive
• classic
• magisterial
• official

Examples of authoritative in a Sentence

The book is an authoritative guide to the city's restaurants.

His manner is polite but authoritative.

She addressed the group with an authoritative voice.

Recent Examples on the Web

The underlying transactions have to be organized and labeled so the system can tell what’s authoritative and what’s just a reference point. — Salvatore Lombardo, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026

It is achieved through a repertoire of authoritative positions and movements that compel individuals, crowds, and cars to move or to hold still. — Sophie Landres, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026

OpenAI says those institutions appear frequently because research agents often receive instructions to consult authoritative public sources. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2026

That’s the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders — the authoritative handbook of mental disorders published by the American Psychiatric Association and used by mental health professionals in the United States. — Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

authority + -ative

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for authoritative

• accommodative
• accumulative
• adjudicative
• administrative
• affiliative
• agglutinative
• ameliorative
• appreciative
• assimilative
• associative
• collaborative
• cooperative

Kids Definition

authoritative

adjective

au·​thor·​i·​ta·​tive ə-ˈthär-ə-ˌtāt-iv 

ȯ-, 

-ˈthȯr-

: having or coming from authority

authoritatively adverb

authoritativeness noun