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View synonyms for

authority

[ uh-thawr-i-tee, uh-thor- ]

noun

plural authorities.
  1. the power to determine, adjudicate, or otherwise settle issues or disputes; jurisdiction; the right to control, command, or determine.

    Synonyms: , , ,

  2. a power or right delegated or given; authorization:

    Who has the authority to grant permission?

  3. a person or body of persons in whom authority is vested, as a governmental agency:

    The housing authority provides rental assistance payments to low-income residents.

    The bridges and piers are built and maintained by the Port Authority.

    Synonyms: ,

  4. Usually authorities. persons having the legal power to make and enforce the law; government:

    They finally persuaded the authorities that they were not involved in espionage.

  5. an accepted source of information, advice, etc.:

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is the leading authority on vaccines and immunizations.

  6. a quotation or citation from such a source.
  7. an expert on a subject:

    He is an authority on baseball.

  8. persuasive force; cogency:

    She spoke with authority.

  9. a statute, court rule, or judicial decision that establishes a rule or principle of law; a ruling.
  10. right to respect or acceptance of one's word, command, thought, etc.; commanding influence:

    the authority of a parent;

    the authority of a great writer.

  11. mastery in execution or performance, as of a work of art or literature or a piece of music.
  12. a warrant for action; justification.
  13. testimony; witness.


authority

/ ɔːˈθɒɪɪ /

noun

  1. the power or right to control, judge, or prohibit the actions of others
  2. often plural a person or group of people having this power, such as a government, police force, etc
  3. a position that commands such a power or right (often in the phrase in authority )
  4. such a power or right delegated, esp from one person to another; authorization

    she has his authority

  5. the ability to influence or control others

    a man of authority

  6. an expert or an authoritative written work in a particular field

    he is an authority on Ming china

  7. evidence or testimony

    we have it on his authority that she is dead

  8. confidence resulting from great expertise

    the violinist lacked authority in his cadenza

  9. capital when part of a name a public board or corporation exercising governmental authority in administering some enterprise

    Independent Broadcasting Authority

  10. law
    1. a judicial decision, statute, or rule of law that establishes a principle; precedent
    2. legal permission granted to a person to perform a specified act
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • ·پ··ٳǰ··ٲ adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of authority1

First recorded in 1200–50; earlier auct(h)oritie, from Latin ܳō “power, influence, prestige,” equivalent to auctor “authority, originator, supporter” ( author ) + - -ity
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Word History and Origins

Origin of authority1

C14: from French ܳٴǰé, from Latin ܳōٲ, from auctor author
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The blaze is now under control, but authorities say they are still carrying out rescue operations.

From

An Orange County man who police believe killed more than a dozen neighborhood cats after luring them to his property has been arrested, according to authorities.

From

He has denied the charges and accused the authorities of "inventing evidence to justify stealing the election".

From

Federal investigations were still trying to determine why authorities in Jalisco state took no action for years, despite indications that the cartel had been operating at the ranch since at least 2021.

From

“The evidence before the Court is that Border Patrol agents under DHS authority engaged in conduct that violated well-established constitutional rights,” she wrote.

From

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When To Use

are other ways to say authority?

The noun authority refers to the power to determine, adjudicate, or otherwise settle issues. When should you use this noun over control or influence? Find out on .

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