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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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, adjectiveWords nearby authoritarian
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
British Dictionary definitions for non-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, nounCollins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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