authoritarian

[ uh-thawr-i-tair-ee-uhn, uh-thor- ]

/ əˌθɔr ɪˈtɛər i ən, əˌθɒr- /

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See synonyms for: authoritarian / authoritarianism on Thesaurus.com

adjective

favoring complete obedience or subjection to authority as opposed to individual freedom: authoritarian principles; authoritarian attitudes.

of or relating to a governmental or political system, principle, or practice in which individual freedom is held as completely subordinate to the power or authority of the state, centered either in one person or a small group that is not constitutionally accountable to the people.

exercising complete or almost complete control over the will of another or of others: an authoritarian parent.

noun

a person who favors or acts according to authoritarian principles.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of authoritarian

First recorded in 1875–80; authorit(y) + -arian

OTHER WORDS FROM authoritarian

au·thor·i·tar·i·an·ism, nounan·ti·au·thor·i·tar·i·an, adjectivean·ti·au·thor·i·tar·i·an·ism, nounnon·au·thor·i·tar·i·an, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use authoritarian in a sentence

Before anti-vaxxers, there were anti-fluoriders: a group who spread fear about the anti-tooth decay agent added to drinking water.
Anti-Fluoriders Are The OG Anti-Vaxxers|Michael Schulson|July 27, 2016|DAILY BEAST
A few years back, designer John Galliano was fined by the government for sharing just such anti-semitic sentiments in public.
Politicians Only Love Journalists When They're Dead|Luke O’Neil|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The “doctorate” Duke claims is from an anti-Semitic Ukranian “diploma mill” as described by the State Department.
The Price of Steve Scalise’s Silence|Jason Berry|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Charles “Father” Coughlin, a raving anti-Semite, was one of the most popular radio hosts in the country.
Why Was Bess Myerson the First and Last Jewish Miss America?|Emily Shire|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST

The anti-crime cops began searching the likely path of flight.
Shot Down During the NYPD Slowdown|Michael Daly|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
To give him a party name, he became an anti-clerical, strictly in a political and lawful sense.
The Philippine Islands|John Foreman
Martini appeared from his little anti-room, with a lamp in his hand, as the prison clock struck ten.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
The unoccupied pallet of Martini lay in one corner of this miserable anti-room.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
He sincerely hates all anti-tobaccoites and has a supreme disgust for the memory of King James I. and all royal foes of the plant.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.
Let no opportunity be missed of exposing the true character of the vile and selfish agitators of the Anti-corn-law league.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV.|Various

British Dictionary definitions for authoritarian

authoritarian

/ (ɔːˌθɒrɪˈtɛərɪən) /

adjective

favouring, denoting, or characterized by strict obedience to authority

favouring, denoting, or relating to government by a small elite with wide powers

despotic; dictatorial; domineering

noun

a person who favours or practises authoritarian policies

Derived forms of authoritarian

authoritarianism, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

authoritarian

Origin of authoritarian

OTHER WORDS FROM authoritarian

Words related to authoritarian

How to use authoritarian in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for authoritarian

Derived forms of authoritarian