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Antonyms for authority


Grammar : Noun
Spell : uh-thawr-i-tee, uh-thor-
Phonetic Transcription : əˈθɔr ɪ ti, əˈθɒr-



Definition of authority

Origin :
  • early 13c., autorite "book or quotation that settles an argument," from Old French auctorité "authority, prestige, right, permission, dignity, gravity; the Scriptures" (12c.; Modern French autorité), from Latin auctoritatem (nominative auctoritas) "invention, advice, opinion, influence, command," from auctor "master, leader, author" (see author (n.)).
  • Usually spelled with a -c- in English till 16c., when it was dropped in imitation of the French. Meaning "power to enforce obedience" is from late 14c.; meaning "people in authority" is from 1610s. Authorities "those in charge, those with police powers" is recorded from mid-19c.
  • noun power, control
  • noun expert, animate or inanimate
Example sentences :
  • No man ventured to interfere with this lawful exercise of his authority.
  • Extract from : « Philothea » by Lydia Maria Child
  • From that moment on, no Jew dared to question the authority of Moses.
  • Extract from : « Ancient Man » by Hendrik Willem van Loon
  • So this part of my restraint was doubtless a stretch of the authority given him.
  • Extract from : « Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9) » by Samuel Richardson
  • It was unspeakably humiliating to be told that she had overstepped her authority.
  • Extract from : « Grace Harlowe's Return to Overton Campus » by Jessie Graham Flower
  • But it was always my notion, that children should not dispute their parents' authority.
  • Extract from : « Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9) » by Samuel Richardson
  • We will not appear like fools in this matter, and as if we have no authority over our own daughter.
  • Extract from : « Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9) » by Samuel Richardson
  • She couldn't get over her sense of his parenthood, his authority.
  • Extract from : « Life and Death of Harriett Frean » by May Sinclair
  • You were changing from boyhood into manhood, and you were changing without any authority over you.
  • Extract from : « Way of the Lawless » by Max Brand
  • "Go on before, and make a way for us," said the doctor, with an authority he had no right to assume.
  • Extract from : « Weighed and Wanting » by George MacDonald
  • Burke was fairly gasping over this outrage against his authority.
  • Extract from : « Within the Law » by Marvin Dana

Synonyms for authority

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019