authoritative

[ uh-thawr-i-tey-tiv, uh-thor- ]

/ əˈθɔr ɪˌteɪ tɪv, əˈθɒr- /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR authoritative ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

having due authority; having the sanction or weight of authority: an authoritative opinion.

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.

Nearby words

author's alteration, authoress, authoring, authoritarian, authoritarian personality, authoritative, authority, authority control, authority figure, authority file, authorization

Origin of authoritative

First recorded in 1595–1605; authorit(y) + -ative

SYNONYMS FOR authoritative

1 official.

3 dogmatic, authoritarian.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR authoritative ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

au·thor·i·ta·tive·ly, adverbau·thor·i·ta·tive·ness, nounnon·au·thor·i·ta·tive, adjectivenon·au·thor·i·ta·tive·ly, adverb

non·au·thor·i·ta·tive·ness, nounun·au·thor·i·ta·tive, adjectiveun·au·thor·i·ta·tive·ly, adverbun·au·thor·i·ta·tive·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for authoritatively

Some authoritatively explained that his death is being used as a distraction from the current political transition.
Hosni Mubarak Rumors Swirl Before Election Results Announced|Vivian Salama|June 20, 2012|DAILY BEAST
“He wanted to write about it authoritatively,” Wilentz said.
A Brief History of the Presidential Memoir|Joshua Robinson|November 8, 2010|DAILY BEAST
"You 're going to go back on the land with me," Joe said authoritatively, laying a hand on his shoulder.
The Cruise of the Dazzler|Jack London
"But wait; you shall not go alone," authoritatively exclaimed that little damsel, leaping in her turn to the ground.
The Sword of Damocles|Anna Katharine Green

Open the door, said Elise authoritatively, and call a carriage, at once.
Marie Tarnowska|Annie Vivanti
She was moving towards the door when Artois stopped her authoritatively.
A Spirit in Prison|Robert Hichens
“I always knew he was a gentleman,” said Sergeant Lund, authoritatively.
Middy and Ensign|G. Manville Fenn

British Dictionary definitions for authoritatively

authoritative

/ (ɔːˈθɒrɪtətɪv) /

adjective

recognized or accepted as being true or reliablean authoritative article on drugs

exercising or asserting authority; commandingan authoritative manner

possessing or supported by authority; officialan authoritative communiqué

Derived Forms

authoritatively, adverbauthoritativeness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012