authoritative

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

/ əˈθɔr ɪˌteɪ tɪv, əˈθɒr- /

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See synonyms for: authoritative / authoritatively / authoritativeness 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.

OTHER WORDS FOR authoritative

1 official.

3 dogmatic, authoritarian.

See synonyms for authoritative on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of authoritative

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

OTHER WORDS FROM authoritative

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. 2023

How to use authoritative in a sentence

At the same time, Facebook labeled several posts containing misinformation with a relatively generic message that suggests the vote counting was ongoing and providing a link to more authoritative information.
Election misinformation is spreading with and without social media’s help|Danielle Abril|November 7, 2020|Fortune
This account will offer the most authoritative information about who wins the election and about important down-ballot races across the country.
14 Twitter and Instagram accounts you should follow for election news|Jeff|November 4, 2020|Fortune
Facebook is placing its own hopes in labels as well, including a preemptive notification in news feeds to follow authoritative news outlets like Reuters and the Associated Press for election results.
How social media sites plan to handle premature election declarations|Bobbie Johnson|November 2, 2020|MIT Technology Review
This is because Google wants the authoritative product information that manufacturers are able to provide.
How to get the most out of Google’s product Knowledge Panels|George Nguyen|November 2, 2020|Search Engine Land

If DeepCT is used, it really will be about providing a rich depth of compelling and authoritative content with focus and structure in sections on a page.
Could Google passage indexing be leveraging BERT?|Dawn Anderson|October 29, 2020|Search Engine Land
She speaks very authoritatively and knowledgeably about this issue, she is committed to campaigning on it for the long term.
Why Does Congress Listen to Celebrities like Ben Affleck?|Tim Teeman|February 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
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
Because I was among those who developed it, I think I can speak authoritatively on the subject.
The GOP's Misplaced Rage|Bruce Bartlett|August 12, 2009|DAILY BEAST
“Put it down,” repeated Conscience authoritatively, deigning no longer to argue or entreat.
Eric, or Little by Little|Frederic W. Farrar
"All the same, you ought to have protection," Edgar said authoritatively, and Leam did not reply.
Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science|Various
If he spoke authoritatively and intolerantly, it was that a duty was laid upon him, and woe to him if he preached it not.
The Life of Mazzini|Bolton King
"Come this way," she said authoritatively, and led them into a side-chamber reserved for the priests.
The Argus Pheasant|John Charles Beecham
They spoke authoritatively about infusions into the vitreous humor and subsequent absorption.
The Hidden Places|Bertrand W. Sinclair

British Dictionary definitions for authoritative

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 of authoritative

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

authoritative

OTHER WORDS FOR authoritative

Origin of authoritative

OTHER WORDS FROM authoritative

Words related to authoritative

How to use authoritative in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for authoritative

Derived forms of authoritative