Authoritative — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ə-ˈthȯr-ə-ˌtā-tiv/ au·thor·i·ta·tive

Meaning & Definition of Authoritative

Authoritative (adjective)

  1. having, marked by, or proceeding from authority
  2. possessing recognized or evident authority, clearly accurate or knowledgeable

Authoritative (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. being the most accurate and apparently thorough

    "this book is considered the most authoritative source on that subject"

    similar: classic, classical, definitive, magisterial
    related: conclusive, decisive, approved, official, sanctioned, accurate, correct, complete, comprehensive, exhaustive, thorough

  2. having power over the minds or behavior of others

    "after a couple of authoritative critics panned the movie, the other reviewers rushed to say how awful it was"

    similar: forceful, influential, weighty
    related: cogent, controlling, dominating, masterful, dominant, predominant, regnant, sovereign, supreme, eminent, important, momentous
    near: helpless, impotent, powerless, weak, incapable, unable

  3. fond of ordering people around

    "she's very authoritative for someone who doesn't actually outrank us"

    similar: authoritarian, autocratic, bossy, despotic, dictatorial, domineering, imperious, masterful, overbearing, peremptory, tyrannical, tyrannous
    related: arrogant, assumptive, disdainful, fastuous, haughty, highfalutin, high-and-mighty, high-hat, huffy, important, lofty, lordly, overweening, presuming, presumptuous, pretentious, proud, self-asserting, supercilious, superior, toplofty, uppish, uppity, commanding, controlling, dictating, regimental, arbitrary, high-handed, imperial, directorial, magisterial, aggressive, assertive, self-assertive, imperative, conceited, narcissistic, pompous, vain, all-powerful, almighty, omnipotent, firm, stern
    near: humble, meek, modest, unassuming, amenable, docile, obedient, tractable, indecisive, irresolute, acquiescent, compliant, passive, resigned, submissive, yielding

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Authoritative

The most common words with a similar meaning to Authoritative:

classic, classical, definitive, magisterial, forceful, influential, weighty, authoritarian, autocratic, bossy, despotic, dictatorial, domineering, imperious, masterful, overbearing, peremptory, tyrannical, tyrannous

Related Words for Authoritative

conclusive, decisive, approved, official, sanctioned, accurate, correct, complete, comprehensive, exhaustive, thorough, cogent, controlling, dominating, dominant, predominant, regnant, sovereign, supreme, eminent, important, momentous, arrogant, assumptive, disdainful, fastuous, haughty, highfalutin, high-and-mighty, high-hat

Near Antonyms of Authoritative

helpless, impotent, powerless, weak, incapable, unable, humble, meek, modest, unassuming, amenable, docile, obedient, tractable, indecisive, irresolute, acquiescent, compliant, passive, resigned, submissive, yielding

Word Forms of Authoritative

Derived words: authoritatively (adverb), authoritativeness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Authoritative

authority + -ative

First known use: 1606

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Authoritative

Frequently Asked Questions about Authoritative

What does "Authoritative" mean?

"Authoritative" means having, marked by, or proceeding from authority. As an adjective, it is defined as: having, marked by, or proceeding from authority. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Authoritative"?

Other words for "Authoritative" include classic, classical, definitive, magisterial, forceful, influential, weighty and authoritarian. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Authoritative" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Authoritative"?

There are 83 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Authoritative". Common alternatives include classic, classical, definitive, magisterial, forceful, influential, weighty, authoritarian, autocratic and bossy.

How do you use "Authoritative" in a sentence?

Examples of "Authoritative" in a sentence: "this book is considered the most authoritative source on that subject"; "after a couple of authoritative critics panned the movie, the other reviewers rushed to say how awful it was"; "she's very authoritative for someone who doesn't actually outrank us".

Is "Authoritative" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Authoritative" is an adjective.

Is "Authoritative" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C2-level word, "Authoritative" is typical of Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE), IELTS band 8.5–9.0, TOEFL iBT 114–120, PTE Academic 85–90. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Authoritative"?

"Authoritative" is pronounced /ə-ˈthȯr-ə-ˌtā-tiv/ and divided into syllables as au·thor·i·ta·tive.

What is the origin of the word "Authoritative"?

"Authoritative" comes from authority + -ative. First known use: 1606.