authoritative
Americanadjective
-
having due authority; having the sanction or weight of authority.
an authoritative opinion.
- Synonyms:
- official
-
substantiated or supported by documentary evidence and accepted by most authorities in a field.
an authoritative edition of Shakespeare; an authoritative treatment of a subject.
-
having an air of authority; accustomed to exercising authority; positive; peremptory; dictatorial.
said with an authoritative air.
- Synonyms:
- authoritarian, dogmatic
adjective
-
recognized or accepted as being true or reliable
an authoritative article on drugs
-
exercising or asserting authority; commanding
an authoritative manner
-
possessing or supported by authority; official
an authoritative communiqué
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of authoritative
First recorded in 1595–1605; authorit(y) + -ative
Explanation
Speak with an authoritative tone, or no one will listen to you. Why would they, if you sound like you don't even believe in yourself? Authoritative means sure or definitive. When writing a paper, it can be useful to quote from an authoritative source, such as the encyclopedia, but you must also do enough research that you are fluent in your subject and can speak with the authoritative voice only true immersion can produce.
Vocabulary lists containing authoritative
100 SAT Words Beginning with "A"
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Vocabulary Video Contest (2013) - List 2
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The Last Cuentista
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“We had five good — if rocky — years together, until we sort of got one another’s rhythm, because he was Mr. Cool, he was Mr. Authoritative and straight ahead,” she said.
From New York Times • Feb. 12, 2024
Authoritative, anecdote-rich and ardently written, Reyes’ books chronicle the all-too-obscure tale of the multitudes of Latinos, Latin Americans and a few Iberians who’ve shaped Hollywood since the silent era.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2023
Authoritative parents have high standards but are patient and warm, and they promote open discussions with their children.
From Washington Post • Mar. 22, 2023
Authoritative voices feature far less frequently in this book than in the last one, and that one had less than the ones before it.
From Salon • Feb. 10, 2014
Authoritative leadership only can unite our efforts on this unity of plan of action.
From Catholic Problems in Western Canada by Daly, George Thomas
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
