authoritarian

adjective

au·​thor·​i·​tar·​i·​an ȯ-ˌthȯr-ə-ˈter-ē-ən 

ə-, 

-ˌthär-

1

: of, relating to, or favoring blind submission to authority

had authoritarian parents

2

: of, relating to, or favoring a concentration of power in a leader or an elite not constitutionally responsible to the people

an authoritarian regime

authoritarian noun

authoritarianism

ȯ-ˌthȯr-ə-ˈter-ē-ə-ˌni-zəm 

ə-, 

-ˌthär-

noun

Synonyms of authoritarian

• domineering
• arrogant
• autocratic
• authoritative
• despotic
• dictatorial
• tyrannical

Examples of authoritarian in a Sentence

grew up with an authoritarian older sister who thought she was queen of the world

an authoritarian coach who runs football practice like it's boot camp

Recent Examples on the Web

Protesters filled the streets Saturday at more than 3,300 rallies across all 50 states for No Kings, a movement that bills itself as nonviolent opposition to what organizers view as authoritarian rulers in the White House and beyond. —Arkansas Online, 30 Mar. 2026

Organizers and protesters fear America is on a path toward authoritarian rule. —Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2026

The President has, in ICE, a quasi-authoritarian force at his disposal. —Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2026

Cuba, which has been under authoritarian control for decades longer than Venezuela, has a less developed opposition, said Cuesta. —Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

authority + -arian

First Known Use

1861, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing authoritarian

• anti-authoritarian

Rhymes for authoritarian

• communitarian
• disciplinarian
• egalitarian
• equalitarian
• humanitarian
• majoritarian
• octogenarian
• parliamentarian
• radiolarian
• totalitarian
• utilitarian
• agrarian

Kids Definition

authoritarian

adjective

au·​thor·​i·​tar·​i·​an ȯ-ˌthär-ə-ˈter-ē-ən 

ə-, 

-ˌthȯr-

1

: expecting strict obedience to one's authority

had authoritarian parents

2

: based on the principle that the leaders and not the people have the final authority

an authoritarian state

authoritarian noun

authoritarianism

-ē-ə-ˌniz-əm 

noun