Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com

exercise authority

VERB
govern
Synonyms
STRONGEST
administer carry out conduct control dictate guide manage oversee regulate supervise
STRONG
captain command direct execute head lead order overrule pilot reign render run steer superintend sway tyrannize
WEAK
assume command be in power be in the driver's seat call the shots call the signals head up hold dominion hold office hold sway lay down the law occupy throne pull the strings serve the people wear the crown
Antonyms
STRONGEST
abandon leave mismanage neglect
STRONG
fail follow obey serve
WEAK
acquiesce agree allow comply consent give way permit surrender yield

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.

“Dominionism” is the idea that Christians should exercise authority, that the kingdom of God is to be established here on earth now, and it’s the responsibility of Christians to bring that about.

From Slate • Jan. 6, 2024

Only when it came to diplomacy and war were presidents able to exercise authority on their own, and even then, institutional as well as political restraints limited their independence of action.

From Textbooks • Jul. 28, 2021

“I am at a loss to understand how he can exercise authority over a piece of work that he and the interest that he represents have no entitlement to,” the justice said.

From New York Times • May 8, 2018

“The recent executive order directed federal agencies to exercise authority and discretion available to them to reduce potential burden,” the IRS said in its statement.

From Washington Times • Feb. 14, 2017

Some people are born to wield power and to exercise authority.

From "Boy: Tales of a Childhood" by Roald Dahl