paternalistic

[ puh-tur-nl-is-tik ]

adjective

1. (of governance, management, or behavior) based in a system positing that authority knows best; outwardly benevolent, but often in a condescending or controlling way:

   In the paternalistic model of medicine, the doctor adopts the role of decision-maker and dictates what would be best for the patient.

   We sought a less paternalistic and more enabling role for the school board, one guided by community engagement and support.

Other Words From

• pa·ter·nal·is·ti·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of paternalistic¹

paternal ( def ) + -istic ( def )

Example Sentences

This double standard also seems to be rather flagrantly gender-based—grossly unfair to men and paternalistic toward women.

From The Daily Beast

Among the explorers, a state of mind developed that was patronizing and paternalistic.

From The Daily Beast

Yet the activists, for all their feminist rhetoric, are indeed promoting a disturbingly paternalistic view of women.

From The Daily Beast

A major problem is that this contact has been paternalistic and poisoned by the myth of racial superiority.

From The Daily Beast

Gone, he declared, were the “paternalistic practices” that “discourage the need to work for a living.”

From The Daily Beast

It is always the paternalistic arm of the Government round every little son of Nippon, or the embrace of his family.

From Project Gutenberg

That is precisely the kind of tyranny or liberty that was enjoyed by the victims of the paternalistic laws above described.

From Project Gutenberg

Royall's sincere interest in the welfare of black soldiers, albeit highly paternalistic, was not in question.

From Project Gutenberg

Norway has been in the forefront in this paternalistic movement.

From Project Gutenberg

He might have planned a program of paternalistic propaganda in behalf of the farmers of the county.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• condescending
• patronizing