the ultimate authority

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the ultimate authority" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize the finality or supremacy of someone's authority. For example: "The President is the ultimate authority when it comes to making decisions for our country."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Your commander has the ultimate authority.

The Guardian

The prosecutor said: "Defendant Finn is the ultimate authority.

The New York Times

Your younger brother is not the ultimate authority on this".

The New Yorker

In most cases, tribal councils — the elected governing bodies — will have the ultimate authority.

The New York Times

He added, "And she always regarded the composer, of whatever period, as the ultimate authority".

The New York Times - Arts

"This is where the ultimate authority rests, irrespective of who has what title".

The New York Times

"I open the doors of this municipality to God as the ultimate authority," she adds.

The New York Times

But he said that the country's religious leadership would remain the ultimate authority.

The New York Times

Mr. Holder has the ultimate authority to decide whether a special counsel is necessary.

The New York Times

The ultimate authority in the settlement of disputes was the pharaoh, whose decrees were supreme.

Encyclopedia Britannica

His voluminous writings rendered him the ultimate authority in these fields until the 16th century.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the ultimate authority" to clearly designate the person, group, or entity with the final decision-making power or the highest level of expertise in a particular context.

Common error

Avoid using "the ultimate authority" too frequently in your writing. While it is a strong phrase, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and less impactful. Consider using synonyms or rephrasing to vary your language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the ultimate authority" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or an object within a sentence. Ludwig's examples illustrate how this phrase identifies the person or entity holding the highest level of power, control, or expertise in a given situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "the ultimate authority" is a grammatically correct and widely used noun phrase that signifies the entity with the highest level of power, control, or expertise. As Ludwig AI points out, it is frequently used in news and media, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. While versatile, avoid overusing it to maintain writing impact. Alternatives include "the final arbiter", "the supreme power", and "the leading expert". Its function is to definitively establish hierarchy, and the register ranges from neutral to formal, making it suitable for professional and academic contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the ultimate decision maker

Highlights the role of making final choices.

the final arbiter

Emphasizes the role of making a final judgment or decision.

the supreme power

Focuses on the aspect of having the highest level of control or command.

the leading expert

Highlights expertise and knowledge as the basis of authority.

the top decision-maker

Specifically refers to the role of making important choices.

the last word

Indicates the final say or ultimate decision in a matter.

the master controller

Stresses complete control over a situation or system.

the key figure

Focuses on the most important person with influence or control.

the last port of call

Indicates that all other options have been exhausted, and this is the final resort.

the governing voice

Emphasizes the act of ruling or directing.

FAQs

How can I use "the ultimate authority" in a sentence?

You can use "the ultimate authority" to designate the entity with final decision-making power, as in "The CEO is "the ultimate authority" on all company matters".

What's a good alternative to "the ultimate authority"?

Depending on the context, you could use "the final arbiter", "the supreme power", or "the leading expert" as alternatives to "the ultimate authority".

Is it better to say "ultimate authority" or "the ultimate authority"?

While "ultimate authority" is understandable, using "the ultimate authority" is generally preferred as it specifies a particular entity or role, making the sentence more clear and grammatically sound.

What is the difference between "the ultimate authority" and "a leading authority"?

"The ultimate authority" refers to the highest power or expert, while "a leading authority" simply indicates someone who is highly knowledgeable and influential but not necessarily the final decision-maker.