authority figure
26
4.3
- noun
- /əˈθɔrɪti ˈfɪɡər/
:
figura de autoridad
- For many students, an authority figure like a teacher is crucial for guidance and support.
- male authority figure
- authority figures: parents
- teacher as authority figure
And here's this big authority figure that's real powerful to them.
- And here's this big authority figure that's real powerful to them.
- No badge, no gun, no authority figure, just this is who I am.
- I'm still fairly distrusting of institutions and authority figures, but it's better.
- So if I'm, if I have no authority figure, maybe God is that structure for me.
- A lot of us want an authority figure to tell you you've been bad.
- And they hear a word, a phrase and interaction from a, a mentor, a positive authority figure.
- But I would be like, you're wearing shorts and you want me to take you seriously as an authority figure and that sort of thing.
- People who are historically ignorant, who are distracted, who just believe what you say because you are the authority figure.
Examples
-
Tuareg elders today remain ideally and officially respected authority figures, particularly in the rural communities.
Academic text (2000) -
Social and emotional challenges with peers and authority figures place high demands on their capabilities.
Academic text (1998) -
You just have a problem with authority figures.
-
I have a problem with authority figures.
-
For whatever reasons, some students need to feel power over authority figures.
Academic text (1992) -
Our reaction to people we view as authority figures is what scientists call the "boss effect."
Blog text (14) -
The teacher can no longer be the sole knowledge expert and authority figure.
Academic text (2013) -
In Tuareg society, older persons are supposed to become authority figures.
Academic text (2000) -
Fathers tend to be seen more as authority figures and to be more concerned with long-range goals.
Academic text (2004) -
Understanding how teenagers communicate with one another potentially facilitates better communication between authority figures.
Academic text (2008)
Synonyms
∞
3.7
A person who works for a government or organization and has power to make and enforce rules
21
8.4
A person who has great power and controls a country or people
21
4.6
A person with the most power in a group
15
3.2
A person whose actions or ideas strongly affect other people's choices
8
4.4
A person who has an official job with power and responsibility in a government or organization
4
9.3
A country, group, or person that is more powerful than others and leads them
3
8.4
A person who is the most important leader in a group or organization
2
7.9
A person who uses connections to influence votes or decisions
1
9.9
A ruler who has almost total power and controls others
A person who has power to rule a city or region
Antonyms
How Authoritative
- Formal
49
3.5
- UK
862
3.0
26
4.3
∞
1.6
346
2.8
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a person who has power or control' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'authority' (power/right to give orders) with 'figure' (a person or prominent individual). This noun-noun composition is a common, cross-linguistic pattern and would be readily understandable to a B1 learner who knows both constituent words.
Etymology
Authority figure paints a simple picture: someone who shows authority, real power, and stands out as a figure people must listen to. So it means a person seen as having 'power' or control.