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 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 No better is that exemplified than on Play Boy, an album that presents itself as an open book reflection on life lived unapologetically, on the edge, and with a constant questioning of any authoritative figure standing in its way. — Chris Barilla, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026 There was never an intention to be like a voice for anyone or to be an authoritative tastemaker. — Thomas Smith, Billboard, 16 Sep. 2026 For a nominal sum, the paper each day serves up authoritative accounts of sports events that occurred as much as a day earlier, give or take. — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for authoritative

Recent Examples of Synonyms for authoritative

Adjective

Hernández, 40, played professionally from 2005 to 2019, spending his entire illustrious 15-season Major League career as the definitive ace for the Mariners.

— Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 6 Oct. 2026
Vistra must still meet technical, legal, environmental and financial requirements before the agency signs definitive financing agreements or provides any funds.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of definitive

Adjective

Medellín is also home to influential streetwear brands inspired by the city’s reggaeton culture.

— Nikkita Nair, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
Anarchism was unequivocally a powerful organizing force in Italian communities and an influential force in labor politics.

— Ed Simon, JSTOR Daily, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of influential

Adjective

The Fed's protective umbrella helps the dollar's appeal among global investors, who can't be fully confident that funds invested into authoritarian China can be safely taken out of the country.

— Matt Peterson, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026
Soon after the photo was taken, pro-Chinese Communist Party activists there began assaulting protesters of Xi's authoritarian regime — though there is no evidence Zhang was involved in any attacks.

— Adam Yamaguchi, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of authoritarian

Adjective

The military exemption in South Korea also applies to classical and traditional musicians, dancers and other artists who are viewed as enhancing national pride.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
Gavin Francis From its origins in the classical physique and homoerotic spectacle, bodybuilding today often involves the use of steroids whose dangers are not properly understood.

— Conor Heffernan, The New York Review of Books, 3 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

An in-home assessment can help identify which windows require replacement and provide more accurate project pricing.

— Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026
Athletic directors and coaches have been scrambling to make sure players are eligible and parental paperwork is accurate.

— Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of accurate

Adjective

Elon Musk — Ike Barinholtz has Musk wandering in from another movie, or dimension, a ramble-y, arrogant but ultimately comically non-threatening figure.

— Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
The loud-mouthed cameos from ex-soccer players Zlatan Ibrahimović and Eric Cantona in Nike’s World Cup hero film Rip the Script were indicative of this, chiming with an older, more arrogant vision of Nike seen in the ’90s and the aughts.

— Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of arrogant

Adjective

By comparison, human advisors can build a comprehensive financial plan — including investing, taxes, insurance, retirement planning, estate planning and more — based on your specific goals.

— Kate Dore, CFP®, EA,Kelli Grant, CFP®, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
Months later, Straker delivered a comprehensive menu—and when the doors opened, Casa Cruz became London’s hottest restaurant.

— Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 7 Oct. 2026