AUTHORITY Synonyms: 180 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'authority' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of authority are command , control , dominion , jurisdiction , power , and sway . While all these words mean "the right to govern or rule or determine," authority implies power for a specific purpose within specified limits. // granted the authority to manage her estate

Q: When is 'command' a more appropriate choice than 'authority'?

While the synonyms command and authority are close in meaning, command implies the power to make arbitrary decisions and compel obedience. // the army officer in command

Q: When would 'control' be a good substitute for 'authority'?

The meanings of control and authority largely overlap; however, control stresses the power to direct and restrain. // you are responsible for the students under your control

Q: When might 'dominion' be a better fit than 'authority'?

The words dominion and authority can be used in similar contexts, but dominion stresses sovereign power or supreme authority. // given dominion over all the animals

Q: When can 'jurisdiction' be used instead of 'authority'?

In some situations, the words jurisdiction and authority are roughly equivalent. However, jurisdiction applies to official power exercised within prescribed limits. // the bureau having jurisdiction over parks

Q: In what contexts can 'power' take the place of 'authority'?

The words power and authority are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, power implies possession of ability to wield force, authority, or influence. // the power to mold public opinion

Q: When could 'sway' be used to replace 'authority'?

The synonyms sway and authority are sometimes interchangeable, but sway suggests the extent of exercised power or influence. // the empire extended its sway over the region

authority

noun

ə-ˈthȯr-ə-tē

Definition of authority

as in expert

a person with a high level of knowledge or skill in a field the leading authority on neural anatomy

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as in government

lawful control over the affairs of a political unit (as a nation) the sheriff had authority over the whole county

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as in influence

the power to direct the thinking or behavior of others usually indirectly speaks with a persuasive authority on matters of public health

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as in power

the right or means to command or control others by the authority vested in me, I now pronounce you married

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as in reason

something (as a belief) that serves as the basis for another thing I had good authority to believe that the information was correct

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as in source

something mentioned in a text as providing related and especially supporting information the Bible is the sole authority for his impassioned defense of creationism

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as in effectiveness

the capacity to persuade a strict grammarian whose pronouncements carried plenty of authority with my third-grade English teacher

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How does the noun authority contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of authority are command, control, dominion, jurisdiction, power, and sway. While all these words mean "the right to govern or rule or determine," authority implies power for a specific purpose within specified limits.

granted the authority to manage her estate

When is command a more appropriate choice than authority?

While the synonyms command and authority are close in meaning, command implies the power to make arbitrary decisions and compel obedience.

the army officer in command

When would control be a good substitute for authority?

The meanings of control and authority largely overlap; however, control stresses the power to direct and restrain.

you are responsible for the students under your control

When might dominion be a better fit than authority?

The words dominion and authority can be used in similar contexts, but dominion stresses sovereign power or supreme authority.

given dominion over all the animals

When can jurisdiction be used instead of authority?

In some situations, the words jurisdiction and authority are roughly equivalent. However, jurisdiction applies to official power exercised within prescribed limits.

the bureau having jurisdiction over parks

In what contexts can power take the place of authority?

The words power and authority are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, power implies possession of ability to wield force, authority, or influence.

the power to mold public opinion

When could sway be used to replace authority?

The synonyms sway and authority are sometimes interchangeable, but sway suggests the extent of exercised power or influence.

the empire extended its sway over the region

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of authority Many managers assume defending themselves preserves authority. — Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026 Cleanup operations are underway and authorities are investigating the source of the spill. — Frank Andrews, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026 Still, the prospect of a franchise owner having a legal battle with federal authorities is one that pro leagues want to avoid. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 12 Aug. 2026 The eclipse was expected to draw at least an additional half-million visitors, authorities said. — Suman Naishadham, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for authority

Recent Examples of Synonyms for authority

Noun

The Wildberries attacks have played into the hands of Russian hawks who urge escalating the war, said pro-Kremlin political expert Sergei Markov.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
Roman said the question will be if the defense focuses on their own psychiatric experts right away, or Clancy's friends and family to humanize her to the jurors.

— Aaron Parseghian, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of expert

Noun

Etzel said the executive order is also intended to put pressure on states that establish vaccine requirements for schools, while potentially setting up additional legal challenges over the federal government’s authority to influence vaccine policy.

— Adisa Hargett-Robinson, The Washington Examiner, 12 Aug. 2026
Three days later, a former lawmaker was arrested after a shooting at a government office that killed one person and injured another.

— ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of government

Noun

Since Chinese leader Xi Jinping came to power in 2012, many aspects of personal life for members of the Communist Party or the state sector, from divorce to travel and social activities, have come under increasing scrutiny.

— Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
The genius villain is telepathic and has several powers, including superhuman strength, telekinesis, energy projection, shapeshifting and teleportation.

— Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of power

Noun

These groups that are coming here are coming for one reason, and that is to provoke a reaction and generate attention.

— Heath Kalb, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
The suit maintains that the commission’s denial does not identify any adverse impact to a wetland function or value, nor any feasible and prudent alternatives to address the Commission’s reasons for denial, in violation of state law, Conn.

— Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of reason

Noun

All three Cabinet members were aware that Trump had secretly switched from the old Air Force One jet to the military aircraft given the threat, sources said.

— Katherine Faulders, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
Officials are investigating the source of the oil, according to Fars News Agency, adding that a clean-up effort was underway.

— Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of source

Noun

How closely matched the flu vaccine is to the dominant strain of the season is part of what accounts for the year-to-year changes in the shot’s effectiveness.

— Elise Haulund, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
Because supplements don't have to undergo FDA approval for safety or effectiveness before being sold, Wood also recommends looking for products independently tested by a reputable third party.

— Dr. Onaola Adedeji, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of effectiveness

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authorities

authority

authorization

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“Authority.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/authority. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of authority

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Synonyms of authority

noun

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A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

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Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

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