definitions

authoritarian

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

dictatorial, imperious, totalitarian, strict, rigid, autocratic, tyrannical, autocrat, disciplinarian, doctrinaire, absolute, dictator, tyrant, despot, absolutist, authoritative, despotic, dogmatic, harsh, magisterial

Nearby words

author, author catalog, author's alteration, authoress, authoring, authoritarian, authoritarian personality, authoritative, authority, authority control, authority figure

Origin of authoritarian

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

Related forms

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. 2019

Examples from the Web for authoritarian

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

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