Authority

/ɔːˈθɒɹəti/ · noun

Meaning

(uncountable) Power or right to make or enforce rules, give orders, or impose obligation; or a position having such power or right..

Definitions by Sense

1. (uncountable) Power or right to make or enforce rules, give orders, or impose obligation; or a position having such power or right.
2. (plural) Persons, regarded collectively, who occupy official positions of power; police or law enforcement.
3. (countable) A reliable, definitive source of information on a subject.
4. (uncountable) Status as a trustworthy source of information, reputation for mastery or expertise; or claim to such status or reputation.
5. (uncountable) Official permission; authorisation to act in some capacity on behalf of a ruling entity.
6. (countable) A government-owned agency that runs a revenue-generating activity for public benefit.

Example Sentences

I have the authority to penalise the staff in my department, but not the authority to sack them.

Vigilantes may have the power to nab criminals, but they lack the authority.

She lost all respect and authority after turning up drunk at the meeting.

Respect my authority!

SIR PETER. Very well! ma'am very well! so a husband is to have no influence, no authority? LADY TEAZLE. Authority! no, to be sure—if you wanted authority over me, you should have adopted me and not married me[:] I am sure you were old enough.

But in the meantime Robin Hood and his band lived quietly in Sherwood Forest, without showing their faces abroad, for Robin knew that it would not be wise for him to be seen in the neighborhood of Nottingham, those in authority being very wroth with him.

It was widely seen as an attempt to deflect attention from the Comey controversy and re-establish some authority at the briefing room podium.

Authorities say the suspect fled on foot.

Synonyms for authority

Antonyms for authority

Related Words

Word Forms

• authorities
• authourity
• authoritie
• autority
• auctoritie

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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