1
as in expert
a person with a high level of knowledge or skill in a field
the leading authority on neural anatomy
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Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in government
lawful control over the affairs of a political unit (as a nation)
the sheriff had authority over the whole county
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3
as in influence
the power to direct the thinking or behavior of others usually indirectly
speaks with a persuasive authority on matters of public health
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in power
the right or means to command or control others
by the authority vested in me, I now pronounce you married
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5
as in reason
something (as a belief) that serves as the basis for another thing
I had good authority to believe that the information was correct
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6
7
as in effectiveness
the capacity to persuade
a strict grammarian whose pronouncements carried plenty of authority with my third-grade English teacher
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of authority
On one hand, some argue that Good was attempting to leave the scene, and a trigger-happy ICE agent fired his weapon at her, an abuse of authority.
—
Andrew Adeolu, CBS News, 11 Jan. 2026
The largest anti-government demonstrations to rock Iran in recent years intensified Friday night, fueling fears of growing fatalities as authorities battle to suppress the protests.
—Arsalan Shahla, Fortune, 10 Jan. 2026
The government, in its brief and in court, argued that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has the authority to terminate any parole program and gave adequate notice by publishing the termination in the federal registry.
—Michael Casey, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2026
Minnesota authorities said Thursday that the FBI, headed by MAGA loyalist Kash Patel, would take charge of the investigation into Wednesday’s shooting.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 10 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for authority
Recent Examples of Synonyms for authority
Noun
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Sign up for our free daily newsletter for the latest hacks, expert advice, and more!—
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According to West Singhbhum Deputy Commissioner Chandan Kumar, officials are also working to help people in nearby villages relocate while wildlife experts attempt to track down the elephant.—
Noun
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The federal government pays 90% of the costs of Idaho’s Medicaid expansion, which as of early 2025 provided access to care for about 90,000 lower-income Idaho residents who earn too much to qualify for standard Medicaid but not enough for private insurance discounts.—
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But that’s often in spite of, not because of, government design.—
Noun
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Here’s everything to know about her mental health history and the religious influence that allegedly distorted her beliefs.—
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The band had a range of influences, from blues and psychedelia, to country, folk and blues.—
Noun
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The experience also reinforced Madsen’s belief in the power of social media.—
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Mophie's power bank has the functionality of a wireless MagSafe connection, with the convenience of a stand.—
Noun
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During pregnancy, common reasons for seeking care include early labor, bleeding, changes in fetal movement, or high blood pressure.—
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One reason the design concept endures is the sink's functionality within the kitchen's larger scheme.—
Noun
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Hoyer plans to formally announce his retirement in a speech on the House floor Thursday morning, the source said.—
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The source claims the couple don't spend much time together otherwise, beyond their joint public appearances.—
Noun
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Each of these decisions moves the state further away from the clarity taxpayers, students and families need to evaluate the effectiveness of the system and the readiness of students.—
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Breeze head coach Noelle Quinn compared Bueckers’ effectiveness in Unrivaled’s 3-on-3 format to Skylar Diggins, pointing to how dangerous both players become when the floor opens up and decisions have to be made quickly.—
Noun
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Residents in a Stockton zip code have reported their mail is being stolen and worry someone may have access to the master postal key.—
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She was allowed to study there in her fifth year of college basketball because CU’s Boulder campus does not offer a master’s in criminal justice.—
Cite this Entry
“Authority.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/authority. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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