Skip to content

What is another word for Authority? – 135 Authority Synonyms

    Need another word for Authority? Use these synonyms of Authority from our thesaurus to say it differently.


    Synonyms & Similar Words

    power control influence dominion jurisdiction command mastery sway dominance supremacy leadership guidance direction management administration governance regulation rule sovereignty autonomy prerogative privilege right permission sanction authorization mandate warrant license entitlement dominance ascendancy preeminence superiority

    Meaning of Authority

    The primary meaning of the word "Authority" based on Oxford Languages is the power or right to control, judge, or command.

    Definitions

    • The power or right to control, judge, or command: having authority over someone or something means having the power to make decisions about them
    • A person or organization having power or control over others: the authorities are investigating the incident
    • An expert or knowledgeable person in a particular field: she is an authority on medieval history
    • A citation or reference to a person or work as an expert or trustworthy source: the study cites several authorities on the subject

    Etymology of Authority

    The word "Authority" originates from the Latin word "auctoritas," which means "influence, authority, or power"
    This Latin term is derived from "auctor," meaning "author, founder, or creator"
    The word has been used in English since the 14th century to refer to the power or right to control or command, and its meaning has evolved over time to include the concept of expertise or trustworthy source

    Example Uses

    • The government has the authority to make laws and enforce them
    • She is a leading authority on climate change and has written several books on the subject
    • The police have the authority to arrest and detain suspects
    • The company's CEO has the final authority on all business decisions

    Antonyms & Near Antonyms

    subservience obedience compliance submission weakness powerlessness helplessness ineffectiveness impotence incapacity disability restriction limitation confinement repression oppression suppression subjugation enslavement bondage servitude dependency