How to Use authority in a Sentence

authority

noun
  • She has an air of authority.
  • The boss is not popular but his authority is unquestioned.
  • Her southern accent lent authority to her performance.
  • We reported the incident to hospital authorities.
  • Local authorities are investigating the accident.
  • Don’t be fooled by the dull façade of their authority.
    — Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
  • What good is such authority, if it is not put to use in a crisis?
    — Paul Elie, The New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2022
  • So that will be key for each local tourism authority to have a say.
    — Katherine Lagrave, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Oct. 2018
  • No one out here at this is going to call the authorities.
    — Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2025
  • The knife had been taken from a car in the area, authorities have said.
    — Jeff Parrott, Indianapolis Star, 13 Jan. 2020
  • Our authority figures should have told us the truth from the start.
    — al, 1 May 2021
  • What’s up with all those pop stars who no longer dare to challenge authority?
    — Armond White, National Review, 2 Dec. 2020
  • All lanes have since reopened, but authorities warned that there may still be slick spots.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Jan. 2026
  • The nuance in these posts gives them heft and authority, even when they’re couched as jokes.
    — New York Times, 5 Feb. 2021
  • The revision text is silent on who or what will have such authority.
    — Mary Ellen Klas, miamiherald, 12 July 2018
  • Not flawless sources of authority, but works in progress.
    — Aytekin Tank, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
  • Lowe was serving as the chair of the housing authority's board at the time.
    — Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2025
  • State plans vary depending on the rules of your state tax authority.
    — Julian Kheel, CNN Underscored, 9 July 2020
  • And rather than asking more questions, the authorities take you at your word and close the case.
    — oregonlive, 17 Sep. 2019
  • Fox and his daughter then left the bus, but authorities said the attack was caught on video.
    — Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2025
  • As that perception changed, so did the authority the past held over her.
    — Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 13 May 2026
  • The man who lives at the house searched by authorities says he has since been released from custody.
    — Nbc News, NBC news, 11 Feb. 2026
  • The authorities are done with asking you nicely to slow down.
    — Andrew Moseman, Popular Mechanics, 25 Oct. 2017
  • Robinson then grabbed the teen and wrestled the gun out of the youth’s hands, authorities said.
    — Keith L. Alexander, Washington Post, 15 May 2023
  • They are believed to have drowned, authorities said.
    — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Here's a look at what authorities are being urged to do and what those who feel unsafe can do to get help.
    — Leah Olajide, Freep.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • British authorities fined Deutsche Bank over the same scheme.
    — Emily Stewart, Vox, 30 Nov. 2018
  • Where does authority come from?
    — Robert Parkinson, The Conversation, 24 June 2026
  • Slick conditions caused the car to leave the road, authorities said.
    — Michael Katz, idahostatesman, 23 Dec. 2017
  • Homes were flooded and entire homes were swept away, authorities said.
    — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025

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

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