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

• authoritative
• autocratic
• autocratical
• bossy
• despotic
• dictatorial
• domineering
• imperious
• masterful
• overbearing
• peremptory
• tyrannical
• tyrannic
• tyrannous

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

Other writers and artists have also begun to mine this era for clues to China’s current authoritarian malaise. —Ian Johnson, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2025

Since taking office just a few weeks ago, President Trump has rapidly depleted the reservoir of America’s soft power with an authoritarian bent and astonishing speed. —Penny Abeywardena, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025

The obvious split between a democratic Taiwan and an authoritarian China is an uncontestable reality and is part of the international consensus. —Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025

Ignore the exams | Pat Beall George Diaz: Castro was my father’s authoritarian. —Garfield Hylton, Orlando Sentinel, 24 Mar. 2025

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