Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun authority
7 senses of authority
Sense 1
authority, authorization, authorisation, potency, dominance, say-so -- (the power or right to give orders or make decisions; "he has the authority to issue warrants"; "deputies are given authorization to make arrests"; "a place of potency in the state")
=> control -- (power to direct or determine; "under control")
Sense 2
authority -- ((usually plural) persons who exercise (administrative) control over others; "the authorities have issued a curfew")
=> person, individual, someone, somebody, mortal, soul -- (a human being; "there was too much for one person to do")
Sense 3
authority -- (an expert whose views are taken as definitive; "he is an authority on corporate law")
=> expert -- (a person with special knowledge or ability who performs skillfully)
Sense 4
assurance, self-assurance, confidence, self-confidence, authority, sureness -- (freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities; "his assurance in his superiority did not make him popular"; "after that failure he lost his confidence"; "she spoke with authority")
=> certainty -- (the state of being certain; "his certainty reassured the others")
Sense 5
agency, federal agency, government agency, bureau, office, authority -- (an administrative unit of government; "the Central Intelligence Agency"; "the Census Bureau"; "Office of Management and Budget"; "Tennessee Valley Authority")
=> administrative unit, administrative body -- (a unit with administrative responsibilities)
Sense 6
authority, authorization, authorisation, sanction -- (official permission or approval; "authority for the program was renewed several times")
=> permission -- (approval to do something; "he asked permission to leave")
Sense 7
authority -- (an authoritative written work; "this book is the final authority on the life of Milton")
=> book -- (a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together); "I am reading a good book on economics")
