Authoritative is used for something or someone that has real authoritythe power or right to direct others or make decisions, sounds confident and commandingstrong, firm, and able to control attention or obedience, or is trusted as a reliable source. It can also mean officiallyin a formal way recognized by an organization or government approved.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˌɔːθərɪˈteɪtɪv/
Easy pronunciation: aw-thuh-rih-TAY-tiv (approximate spelling).
Stress: Primary stress is on the fourth syllable, TAY.
Use this pronunciation for the adjective meaning having authority, influence, or a commanding presence.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Authoritative Meaning
showing power, confidence, or control
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: having authority, influence, or a commanding presence
Example: The captain gave an authoritative order that everyone followed.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- important — Can fit the idea of having influence, but it is broader and less precise than authoritative.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Authoritative
Meaning 2
widely trusted as a reliable source
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: of recognized authority or excellence
Example: This is the most authoritative guide to the history of the city.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- definitive — Works well when something is accepted as the best or most reliable source.
Meaning 3
officially approved or authorized
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: sanctioned by established authority
Example: The report was released in authoritative form by the government.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- authorised — British spelling; matches the official-approval sense.
- authorized — American spelling; matches the official-approval sense.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Authoritative Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- important
widely trusted as a reliable source
- definitive
officially approved or authorized
- authorised
- authorized
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Do not confuse authoritative with authoritarian. Authoritative means confident, trusted, or officially approved; authoritarian means strict and controlling.
- Do not use authoritative to mean simply 'important' in every context. The word usually suggests authority, reliability, or official approval.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does authoritative mean?
Authoritative means having real authority, sounding confident and in control, or being trusted as a reliable source. It can also mean officially approved.
What are the best synonyms for authoritative?
The best synonym depends on the sense. For the confidence or control sense, important is only a partial fit. For the reliable-source sense, definitive works well. For the official-approval sense, authorized and authorised are good matches.
Is authoritative the same as authoritarian?
No. Authoritative suggests confidence, credibility, or legitimate authority. Authoritarian suggests harsh control and strict rule.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.