Civil authority refers to the entities that hold power over a specific region or people. There are several synonyms for this term, including government, administration, ruling body, and jurisdiction. The government is the most commonly used synonym for civil authority, and refers to the various levels of government, such as local, state and federal. Administration is another synonym, which highlights the executive branch of government. Ruling body and jurisdiction refer to the group or area where civil authority has power. Other synonyms for civil authority include the authorities, those in power, and the establishment. Regardless of the term used, it is crucial that civil authorities uphold democratic principles and provide for the common welfare.