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authority

/ʌθˈɔɹʌti/noun4 syllables

Authority means: the power or right to give orders or make decisions.

Synonyms for authority16

noun, as in the power or right to give orders or make decisions

authorization, authorisation, potency, dominance, say-so

noun, as in freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities

assurance, self-assurance, confidence, self-confidence, sureness

noun, as in an administrative unit of government

agency, federal agency, government agency, bureau, office

noun, as in official permission or approval

authorization, authorisation, sanction

What does authority mean?7

noun

1

the power or right to give orders or make decisions“he has the authority to issue warrants”

2

freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities“his assurance in his superiority did not make him popular”

3

an administrative unit of government“the Central Intelligence Agency”

4

official permission or approval“authority for the program was renewed several times”

5

(usually plural) persons who exercise (administrative) control over others“the authorities have issued a curfew”

6

an expert whose views are taken as definitive“he is an authority on corporate law”

7

an authoritative written work“this book is the final authority on the life of Milton”

Definitions from the Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

What rhymes with authority?4

four syllables

majorityminorityprioritysorority
Show 32 near rhymes
authoritiesnormallyreportedlyimportantlyprioritiesportugueseformallyminoritieswarrantyforestryquarantinemorallyhorriblynormandyforciblyenormouslycautiouslyforcefullyconformitytopologyinformallyorallylawfullyunlawfullytaxonomyabnormallydiscographysolemnlyuniformitycosmologywrongfullythoughtfully

Authority in a sentence

  • The peaceful transfer of authority is rare in history, yet common in our country.Hybrid
  • You don't have the authority to do that, do you?CK
  • If you want authority, you shouldn't have it.rul
  • He was a great authority on astronomy, or the science of the heavenly bodies.unknown
  • Ritsuko is something of an authority on the subject.CN
  • He has no authority over his own children.unknown
  • The teacher has no authority with his students.unknown
  • He is the foremost authority on heart surgery.CK

Sentences from Tatoeba, CC BY 2.0 FR, credited to their authors.

Forms of authority

as a noun

plural
authorities