authoritative

[uh-thawr-i-tey-tiv, uh-thor-] /əˈθɔr ɪˌteɪ tɪv, əˈθɒr-/

adjective

having due authority; having the sanction or weight of authority:

an authoritative opinion.

substantiated or supported by documentary evidence and accepted by most authorities in a field:

an authoritative edition of Shakespeare; an authoritative treatment of a subject.

having an air of authority; accustomed to exercising authority; positive; peremptory; dictatorial:

said with an authoritative air.

Origin

1595-1605; authorit(y) + -ative

Related forms

authoritatively, adverb

authoritativeness, noun

nonauthoritative, adjective

nonauthoritatively, adverb

nonauthoritativeness, noun

unauthoritative, adjective

unauthoritatively, adverb

unauthoritativeness, noun

Synonyms

1. official. 3. dogmatic, authoritarian.

Examples from the web for authoritative

The auctioneer cut an imposing figure, nearly six feet tall in heels, her English-accented contralto crisply authoritative.
Today's figures are considered more authoritative and comprehensive.
Again, I don't claim my answer to be authoritative.
The volume reveals a poet by turns charming and authoritative, masterful and humble, deftly evasive and ringingly quotable.
Encyclicals are the most authoritative documents a pope can issue.
It ended as a statement, bold, authoritative and lasting.
It was the Cronkite that viewers revered: friendly, unpretentious, authoritative and well-prepared.
They will give you an authoritative answer from their perspectives.
It is hard to be authoritative when the authors cannot agree.
Although journalism is often authoritative, it is often compiled on the run.

British Dictionary definitions for authoritative

authoritative

/ɔːˈθɒrɪtətɪv/

adjective

recognized or accepted as being true or reliable: an authoritative article on drugs

exercising or asserting authority; commanding: an authoritative manner

possessing or supported by authority; official: an authoritative communiqué

Derived Forms

authoritatively, adverb
authoritativeness, noun

Word Origin and History for authoritative

adj.

c.1600, "dictatorial" (a sense now restricted to authoritarian), from Medieval Latin authoritativus (see authority). Meaning "possessing authority" is recorded from 1650s; that of "proceeding from proper authority" is from 1809. Related: Authoritatively; authoritativeness.