Synonyms of authority
18 similar words · 2 opposite words
Another word for authority is control. Other synonyms of authority are command, sovereignty, rulership, permission and consent. The opposite of authority is powerlessness.
Synonyms and similar words for authority
nounPower or right to make or enforce rules, give orders, or impose obligation; or a position having...
- commandThe right or authority to order, control or dispose of; the right to be obeyed or to compel obedience.
- rulershipA position in which one rules or has sovereignty over others.
- sovereigntyOf a ruler (especially a monarch): supreme authority or dominion over something.
- controlAn influence or authority over something.
nounStatus as a trustworthy source of information, reputation for mastery or expertise; or claim to...
nounOfficial permission; authorisation to act in some capacity on behalf of a ruling entity.
- jurisdictionThe power, right, or authority to interpret and apply the law.
- leavePermission.
- sanctionAn approval, by an authority, generally one that makes something valid.
- allowancePermission; granting, conceding, or admitting.
- authorizationThe state of being authorized to do something or to be somewhere; formally granted permission.
- clearance
- consentVoluntary agreement or permission.
- license
- mandateAn official or authoritative command; an order or injunction; a commission; a judicial precept; an authorization.
- permissionAuthorisation; consent (especially formal consent from someone in authority).
- warrantAuthorization or certification; a sanction, as given by a superior.
- permit obsoleteFormal permission.
Opposite of authority
nounPower or right to make or enforce rules, give orders, or impose obligation; or a position having...
- impotence
- powerlessnessThe state or character of being powerless; absence or lack of power.
Meaning of authority
- noun Power or right to make or enforce rules, give orders, or impose obligation; or a position having such power or right.
- noun Persons, regarded collectively, who occupy official positions of power; police or law enforcement.
- noun A reliable, definitive source of information on a subject.
authority in other languages
Questions about synonyms of authority
- What is another word for authority?
- Authority has 18 synonyms on Word.ws, such as control, command, sovereignty, rulership, permission, consent, warrant and jurisdiction.
- What is the opposite of authority?
- The opposite of authority is powerlessness.
- What does authority mean?
- Authority means power or right to make or enforce rules, give orders, or impose obligation; or a position having such power or right.
Source and license
Adapted from Wiktionary: authority (page history and authors) and the entries of the words listed. Text available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 license. Word.ws grouped the synonyms and antonyms by meaning and added links. Wiktionary data of 2026-09-02.
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Cite this page: “Synonyms of authority.” Word.ws, https://word.ws/synonyms/authority. Based on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.