authority synonyms

authority

n.

  1. Power based on right

    right, authorization, jurisdiction; see power 2.

  2. The appearance of having authority, sense 1

    prestige, political influence, weight, self-assurance; see influence 2.

  3. A person or persons vested with authority, sense 1; usually plural

    officialdom, officials, judges, court, police, government, government agency, office-holders, administration, cabinet, executive, duly constituted representatives, ecclesiastics, the powers that be*; see also bureaucracy 1.

  4. One who knows

    expert, scholar, critic, professional; see specialist. See syn. study atinfluence, power.

Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.