EN

Synonyms for authoritative

  • adjective

Most common

magisterial dogmatic commanding masterful official proper definitive influential

Synonyms by meaning

Adjective

1. Magisterial — having a commanding style

magisterial, dogmatic, commanding, masterful, imperious, arrogant, oracular, imperative, dictatorial, bossy, arbitrary, peremptory, sterling, authoritarian, domineering, autocratic, overbearing, despotic, tyrannical, grave dated

2. Official — arising or originating from a figure of authority

official, proper, standard, formal, absolute

3. Definitive — highly accurate or definitive; treated or worthy of treatment as a scholarly authority

definitive, precise, decisive, conclusive

4. Influential

influential, powerful, important, potent

Other

authorized, authorised UK, sure, firm, empowered, approved, authentic dated

Antonyms

unreliable, questionable, dubious

All antonyms of authoritative →

Definitions

  1. adj. 1

    Arising or originating from a figure of authority.

    The authoritative rules in this school come not from the headmaster but from the aged matron.

  2. adj. 2

    Highly accurate or definitive; treated or worthy of treatment as a scholarly authority.

    This book is the world's most authoritative guide to insect breeding habits.

  3. adj. 3

    Having a commanding style.

    He instructed us in that booming, authoritative voice of his.

Related words

Word family
authoritatively authoritativeness

Example sentences

  • commanding Tom is said to have murdered his commanding officer.
  • dogmatic Layla is a really dogmatic and close-minded person.
  • official The soldier received official permission to leave.
  • formal The premier paid a formal visit to the White House.

Popularity over time

Word1850 → 2019Trend
authoritativesteady
commandingsteady
masterfulrising
dogmaticsteady
magisterialrising
officialfalling

Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.

By length

4 letters
sure1, firm1
5 letters
grave1, bossy2
6 letters
proper2, formal2, potent2
7 letters
precise2
8 letters
official3, standard2, powerful3, approved2, absolute3, sterling2, decisive3, arrogant3, dogmatic3, despotic3, oracular
9 letters
important3, authentic3, arbitrary4, empowered3, masterful3, imperious4
10 letters
authorized3, commanding3, definitive4, imperative4, authorised, conclusive3, tyrannical4, autocratic4, peremptory4
11 letters
influential4, dictatorial5, overbearing4, domineering4, magisterial5
13 letters
authoritarian6

The small number after each word is its number of syllables (bossy2 = 2 syllables).