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definitions

authoritarian

[ uh-thawr-i-tair-ee-uh n, uh-thor- ]
/ əˌθɔr ɪˈtɛər i ən, əˌθɒr- /
|

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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Nearby words

authoress, authorial, authoring, authorisation, authorise, authoritarian, authoritarian personality, authoritarianism, authoritative, authority, authority control

Origin of authoritarian

First recorded in 1875–80; authorit(y) + -arian
Related formsau·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. 2019

Examples from the Web for anti-authoritarian

British Dictionary definitions for anti-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 Formsauthoritarianism, 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

Word Origin and History for anti-authoritarian

authoritarian

adj.

1862, "favoring imposed order over freedom," from authority + -an. Cf. authoritative, which originally had this meaning to itself. Noun in the sense of one advocating or practicing such governance is from 1859.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper