How to Use authoritative in a Sentence

authoritative

adjective
  • The book is an authoritative guide to the city's restaurants.
  • She addressed the group with an authoritative voice.
  • His manner is polite but authoritative.
  • Wave your arms, clap your hands and shout in an authoritative voice.
    — Tresa Baldas, Detroit Free Press, 1 May 2017
  • Wave your arms, clap your hands, and shout in an authoritative voice.
    — David Montesino, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2024
  • Sexton said the book came across as authoritative, at least back then.
    — AZCentral.com, 1 Oct. 2020
  • There’s an authoritative front grille and bumper, and revised rear tail lights.
    — Josh Max, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
  • The key with all stories is to find the authoritative sources and then try to double check them.
    — Megan Ditrolio, New York Times, 18 Oct. 2022
  • Like so much fake news, they are designed to sound authoritative, to scare and to mislead.
    — Vicky Spratt, refinery29.com, 5 Mar. 2020
  • Even if his works hadn't been so authoritative, Orb would have a strong case for favoritism.
    — Eric Banks, Town & Country, 2 May 2013
  • Her light but authoritative touch is on everything from scripts to wardrobe.
    — Tanisha C. Ford, Time, 28 Nov. 2022
  • But no one has an authoritative count on the number of great whites in local waters.
    — James Rainey, NBC News, 12 May 2017
  • Cox blew her whistle and issued commands in a voice that was low but authoritative.
    — Charles McNulty, latimes.com, 5 Feb. 2018
  • The voice — authoritative, but calming — moved around the room.
    — Allie Volpe, Philly.com, 4 Oct. 2017
  • His matter-of-fact voiceover, while authoritative, laments that movie’s lack of success.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 25 Dec. 2024
  • There was his black whistle, hanging around his neck on a lanyard — sharp, shrill and authoritative.
    — Julie Bosman, BostonGlobe.com, 21 Feb. 2021
  • All of a sudden, an authoritative man in a fancy suit and a natty hat arrives.
    — Brooks Barnes, New York Times, 21 July 2023
  • The team reports on public-land stories in a clear-eyed, authoritative way.
    — The Editors, Outside Online, 7 July 2018
  • Like all good turbo fours, the engine builds torque quickly and low in the rev range for that authoritative shove at traffic lights.
    — Eric Tingwall, Car and Driver, 22 Jan. 2021
  • Her voice was clear and authoritative, like an oracle’s.
    — David Sedaris, New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2026
  • The result is that none of the guidance is authoritative, and people get confused.
    — Andrea Kane, CNN, 25 Aug. 2020
  • This was the sort of authoritative result that proves Missouri could make some noise come March.
    — Brendan Marks, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025
  • David Jolly strikes me, having met with and heard him, as both authoritative and humble.
    — Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 May 2026
  • In a time of noise and distraction, his quiet yet authoritative voice continues to show the way.
    — Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Duah’s authoritative finish in the 68th minute stood as the largest goal of the two matches.
    — Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Ehlinger now commands the attention of the entire team, a process that has forced his voice to grow louder, more authoritative.
    — Nick Moyle, ExpressNews.com, 22 Aug. 2019
  • To see the authoritative ranking of the current corporate world order, see our full list here.
    — Alyson Shontell, Fortune, 2 Aug. 2023
  • This has reignited demand from brands to earn favor of authoritative publishers in their niche.
    — Kevin Kruse, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Clients and partners need the dynamic, authoritative showman in the red shirt.
    — Jason Barnard, Rolling Stone, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Dick Cable was known for his booming, authoritative voice.
    — Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 9 May 2026

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'authoritative.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Last Updated: