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Meaning & use

the authorities

noun·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ði ɔːˈθɒrɪtiz/
US/ði əˈθɔːrəˌtiz/

Meaning

  1. nounplural

    The officials and organizations with legal power to make decisions, enforce rules, or run a place.

    Grammar: Takes a plural verb: the authorities have confirmed it.

    Patterns

    • tell the authorities
    • the authorities in somewhere

    The authorities have closed the road because of flooding.

    If you find the missing wallet, hand it over to the authorities.

    Local authorities warned residents to stay indoors.

Common combinations

alert the authorities
Neighbors alerted the authorities when they smelled gas.
notify the authorities
Businesses must notify the authorities of any data breach.
local authorities
Local authorities set up shelters for the displaced.
cooperate with the authorities
She promised to cooperate fully with the authorities.
turn yourself in to the authorities
He decided to turn himself in to the authorities.

Synonyms and how they differ

officials
Officials are individual office holders, while the authorities treats them as one collective body.
the government
The government refers to the national ruling body, whereas the authorities can be local or specialized.
the police
The police is narrower, covering only law enforcement, while the authorities can include any official body.
the powers that be
The powers that be is informal and often sounds ironic or resentful.

Opposites

the public

Word family

authority noun
the power to give orders or make decisions
authorize verb
to give official permission
authoritative adjective
trusted as reliable and expert
authoritarian adjective
demanding strict obedience
authorization noun
official permission

Commonly confused: the authorities or authoritative? the authorities or authoritarian?

the authorities vs authoritative

Authoritative means reliable and commanding respect, as in an authoritative guide. It does not mean having official power.

the authorities vs authoritarian

Authoritarian describes strict, controlling rule. The authorities are simply those in charge.

Practice

After the break-in, we reported it to ___.

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