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

Parents raised in authoritarian or neglectful households may struggle to break away from ingrained beliefs about discipline and respect. —Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 2 Dec. 2024

International rights groups have used Biden’s trip to criticize the Lourenço government’s authoritarian shift. —Gerald Imray, Los Angeles Times, 2 Dec. 2024

Lai’s trip, including his quietly significant Hawaii stop, highlights Taiwan’s ongoing fight for recognition and sovereignty as a frontline democracy confronting authoritarian pressure. —Will Ripley, CNN, 1 Dec. 2024

Nothing delegitimizes authoritarian leaders more than defeat. —Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

authority + -arian

First Known Use

1861, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing authoritarian

• anti-authoritarian

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