authoritative

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

adjective

1. having due authority; having the sanction or weight of authority:

   an authoritative opinion.

   Synonyms: official

2. 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.

3. having an air of authority; accustomed to exercising authority; positive; peremptory; dictatorial:

   said with an authoritative air.

   Synonyms: authoritarian, dogmatic

authoritative

/ ɔːˈθɒrɪtətɪv /

adjective

1. recognized or accepted as being true or reliable

   an authoritative article on drugs

2. exercising or asserting authority; commanding

   an authoritative manner

3. possessing or supported by authority; official

   an authoritative communiqué

Derived Forms

• auˈthoritativeness, noun
• auˈthoritatively, adverb

Other Words From

• au·thori·tative·ly adverb
• au·thori·tative·ness noun
• nonau·thori·tative adjective
• nonau·thori·tative·ly adverb
• nonau·thori·tative·ness noun
• unau·thori·tative adjective
• unau·thori·tative·ly adverb
• unau·thori·tative·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of authoritative¹

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

Example Sentences

He has a calm, gentle, yet authoritative manner — like a good meditation teacher.

From Ozy

With control of an authoritative nameserver, malicious hackers could run man-in-the-middle attacks to silently intercept and redirect internet users going to legitimate sites to malicious webpages.

From TechCrunch

Link to reputable and authoritative websites to improve your site’s credibility in the eyes of Google and visitors.

From Search Engine Watch

In that regard, “The Nine Lives of Pakistan” feels like a throwback to a waning era of the authoritative journalistic account of an exotic elsewhere.

From Washington Post

Because Google offers the most authoritative resource on the subject of what violates its guidelines.

From Search Engine Watch

Coren, a striking blond with an authoritative manner and a deep voice, stayed with the story all night and well into the next day.

From The Daily Beast

Furthermore, they would not highlight such a piece no matter how carefully worded unless the sources were clearly authoritative.

From The Daily Beast

These days, authoritative feminist discourse is no longer just a spectator sport.

From The Daily Beast

Dunham makes fun of herself only so that she can then hedge and embrace an authoritative role.

From The Daily Beast

Director Peter Bogdanovich wrote in the New York Times Book Review that John Wayne is “authoritative and thoroughly engaging.”

From The Daily Beast

Each one of them is called by His authoritative command, as well as by the effectual influences of his Spirit.

From Project Gutenberg

Organised and authoritative religion the world over makes for ignorance, for poverty and superstition.

From Project Gutenberg

A standard and authoritative work enriched by copious illustrations.

From Project Gutenberg

It is the fullest and most authoritative of all the treatises on the subject and has a few illustrations.

From Project Gutenberg

He said something to the two men—a few sharp words in an authoritative tone—and they retired.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• accurate
• authentic
• definitive
• dependable
• factual
• reliable
• scholarly
• trustworthy
• truthful