authoritarian

adjective

au·​thor·​i·​tar·​i·​an ȯ-ˌthȯr-ə-ˈter-ē-ən How to pronounce authoritarian (audio)
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 noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
His parents were Italian immigrants who fled Benito Mussolini’s fascist regime, and his grandmother Rosa Margherita Vassallo di Bergoglio was active in Catholic Action, formed by Italian bishops who wanted to maintain their independence from Mussolini’s authoritarian rule. Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 21 Apr. 2025 Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban has been called an authoritarian, and previous reports have noted restrictions to civil liberties. Graham Smith, NPR, 18 Apr. 2025 America is hurtling toward the loss of its democratic institutions and the establishment of an authoritarian state where there will be no civil discussion of these issues at all: That’s what a principled opposition must fight with its full might. Garry Kasparov, The Atlantic, 17 Apr. 2025 Historians and political scientists can offer context and theory for understanding populist movements and authoritarian regimes. Ars Staff, ArsTechnica, 17 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for authoritarian

Word History

Etymology

authority + -arian

First Known Use

1861, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of authoritarian was in 1861

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Authoritarian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/authoritarian. Accessed 26 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

authoritarian

adjective
au·​thor·​i·​tar·​i·​an ȯ-ˌthär-ə-ˈter-ē-ən How to pronounce authoritarian (audio)
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 noun

More from Merriam-Webster on authoritarian

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