authoritative

authoritative [uh-thawr-i-tey-tiv, uh-thor-] SynonymsExamplesWord Origin adjective

1. having due authority; having the sanction or weight of authority: an authoritative opinion.
2. 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.
3. having an air of authority; accustomed to exercising authority; positive; peremptory; dictatorial: said with an authoritative air.

Origin of authoritative First recorded in 1595–1605; authorit(y) + -ative Related formsau·thor·i·ta·tive·ly, adverbau·thor·i·ta·tive·ness, nounnon·au·thor·i·ta·tive, adjectivenon·au·thor·i·ta·tive·ly, adverbnon·au·thor·i·ta·tive·ness, nounun·au·thor·i·ta·tive, adjectiveun·au·thor·i·ta·tive·ly, adverbun·au·thor·i·ta·tive·ness, nounSynonyms for authoritative 1. official. 3. dogmatic, authoritarian. Examples from the Web for unauthoritative Historical Examples of unauthoritative

He gives no evidence, and the statement seems to be merely a repetition from earlier and unauthoritative writers.

Shakespearean Playhouses

Joseph Quincy Adams

It must have unity enough for that; it must be much more than a mere leisurely, unauthoritative conference of representatives.

What is Coming?

H. G. Wells

British Dictionary definitions for unauthoritative authoritative adjective

1. recognized or accepted as being true or reliablean authoritative article on drugs
2. exercising or asserting authority; commandingan authoritative manner
3. possessing or supported by authority; officialan authoritative communiqué

Derived Formsauthoritatively, adverbauthoritativeness, noun Word Origin and History for unauthoritative 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.