authority

[uh-thawr-i-tee, uh-thor-] / əˈθɔr ɪ ti, əˈθɒr- /

NOUN

power, control

Synonyms

STRONGEST

force government jurisdiction rule

STRONG

ascendancy authorization beef charge clout command credit domination dominion edge esteem goods guts influence juice jump license mastery might permission permit pizazz pow powerhouse prerogative prestige punch right ropes say say-so steam strength stuff supremacy sway warrant weight word

WEAK

leg up might and main strong arm upper hand what it takes whip hand

Antonyms

STRONG

breach break disadvantage inferiority lack lethargy powerlessness prohibition subordination weakness

NOUN

expert, animate or inanimate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

expert judge law

STRONG

Bible CEO arbiter aristocrat boss brains brass buff connoisseur czar egghead establishment exec executive feds governor guru kingfish kingpin pro professional professor pundit scholar specialist textbook upstairs veteran virtuoso whiz wizard

WEAK

big cheese big shot big wig city hall front office ivory dome power elite top brass top dog top hand

Antonyms

STRONG

amateur greenhorn ignoramus proletariat rookie student

Usage

What are other ways to say authority? Authority is a power or right, usually because of rank or office, to issue commands and to punish for violations: to have authority over subordinates. Control is either power or influence applied to the complete and successful direction or manipulation of persons or things: to be in control of a project. Influence is a personal and unofficial power derived from deference of others to one's character, ability, or station; it may be exerted unconsciously or may operate through persuasion: to have influence over one's friends.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Last month, the foreign minister told the BBC the Kenyan authorities had closed more than 600 recruitment agencies suspected of duping Kenyans with promises of jobs overseas.

From BBC

The new law, designed to stop cover ups, would create a legal duty for public authorities to co-operate with and tell the truth to inquiries.

From BBC

A military helicopter has crashed in Qatar, killing all seven people on board, authorities in the Gulf state say.

From BBC

The latest blackout was due to an outage in a generating unit at one of the country's eight thermoelectric plants, triggering a domino effect in the system, according to authorities.

From Barron's

"It will be towed safely to one of the Libyan ports following coordination with the relevant authorities."

From Barron's

authority

Usage

Example Sentences

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