authority figure

American  

noun

1. a person whose real or apparent authority over others inspires or demands obedience and emulation.

   Parents, teachers, and police officers are traditional authority figures for children.

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Example Sentences

If a teacher, coach or other authority figure tells a student that they have to use a website or an app, then the student cannot realistically opt out, King said.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 22, 2026

There’s almost no authority figure or august body in our society in which most people have confidence.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 29, 2025

And how does a man like Joseph, an authority figure in the church but on a lower rung than Theophilus, conduct himself under those circumstances?

From Salon • Jun. 6, 2025

The British comedian and actor pops up in the trailer as some sort of authority figure who asks Arthur/Joker: "What's changed?"

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2024

The moment any authority figure challenged Cade's control over things, the game was on.

From "100 Sideways Miles" by Andrew Smith