authority

The right or power to give orders, make decisions, or make people follow rules.

• She has the authority to decide.
• His authority over the team was limited.
• Who gave you authority to enter this room?

How to use it: authority to do something (Only the director has authority to approve this payment.); authority over someone/something (The council has authority over local schools.)

Similar words: power, control

Common phrases: have authority, authority over someone, authority to act

People or organizations with official power, especially the police or government.

• The authorities closed the road.
• She reported the missing child to the authorities.
• Local authorities warned residents about the storm.

Similar words: officials

Common phrases: local authority, public authority, authority officials

A person widely trusted for their great knowledge of a subject.

• He is an authority on birds.
• The hospital consulted a leading authority on heart disease.
• Several respected authorities disagreed about the painting.

How to use it: authority on something (She is an authority on Roman history.)

Similar words: expert, specialist

Common phrases: leading authority, authority on something, respected authority

A source of information that people trust to give correct answers about a subject.

• This book is a reliable authority.
• The editor cited an authority for the disputed spelling.
• They used the official manual as their authority.

How to use it: authority for something (The handbook is our authority for spelling technical terms.)

Similar words: reference, source

Common phrases: cite an authority, reliable authority, authority for something