ultimate authority

USAGE SUMMARY

"ultimate authority" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the highest and final position of authority in a particular system or hierarchy. For example: "The Supreme Court has the ultimate authority to make decisions on matters of Federal law."

✓ 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

This gives ultimate authority to elected politicians rather than clerics.

The Economist

Ultimate authority rested with the bulyang, a council of elders.

The New York Times

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

The New Yorker

"Congress would continue to have ultimate authority over the district.

The Guardian

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

It was clear, however, that it was Sisi who held ultimate authority.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ultimate authority", ensure the context clearly defines the scope of that authority. For example, specify whether it applies to a specific department, region, or the entire organization.

Common error

Avoid assuming someone has "ultimate authority" without clear evidence or documentation. Vague assumptions can lead to conflicts and miscommunication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ultimate authority" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies the person, group, or entity possessing the highest level of control or decision-making power. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its use is correct and well-established.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ultimate authority" is a commonly used and grammatically correct noun phrase, denoting the highest level of control or decision-making power. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for use in various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media and Encyclopedias, its usage spans from neutral to formal registers. When using "ultimate authority", clarity in defining the scope of the authority is key to avoid misinterpretations. While alternatives like "supreme power" and "final say" exist, "ultimate authority" often implies a more comprehensive level of control.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

supreme power

Focuses on the capacity to control or direct others.

final say

Highlights the power to make the concluding decision.

absolute dominion

Emphasizes complete and unrestricted control.

chief command

Indicates the position of leadership and control.

decisive influence

Stresses the impact on outcomes through decision-making.

top rank

Refers to the highest position in a hierarchy.

last resort

Implies the final source of decision or action.

governing body

Denotes an entity that holds the power to govern.

head office

Implies the highest command especially in business context.

peak authority

Describes the highest point of control or expertise.

FAQs

How to use "ultimate authority" in a sentence?

You can use "ultimate authority" to describe the person or entity with the final decision-making power in a particular situation. For example, "The CEO holds the "ultimate authority" on all strategic decisions."

What can I say instead of "ultimate authority"?

You can use alternatives like "supreme power", "final say", or "absolute dominion" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "ultimate authority" or "final authority"?

Both "ultimate authority" and "final authority" are correct, but "ultimate authority" often implies a broader scope of control and responsibility compared to "final authority", which simply refers to the last decision-making step.

What's the difference between "ultimate authority" and "primary authority"?

"Ultimate authority" refers to the highest level of control, while "primary authority" indicates the main or initial source of power or decision-making, which may not be the final one.