1
as in domineering
fond of ordering people around
grew up with an authoritarian older sister who thought she was queen of the world
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in strict
given to exacting standards of discipline and self-restraint
an authoritarian coach who runs football practice like it's boot camp
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in disciplinarian
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in dictator
Synonyms & Similar Words
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of authoritarian
Brad Dress, The Hill, 7 Jan. 2025
What about critics who say Mexico is on a path to a one-party, authoritarian state?
Authoritarian, really?
—Patrick J. McDonnell, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2025
Current legislation on this matter already vets for all kinds of criminals, terrorists, affiliates of authoritarian regimes, and anyone who may otherwise seek to overthrow the government or use violence against Americans.
—Agustina Vergara Cid, Orange County Register, 29 Dec. 2024
In Venezuela, the authoritarian rule continues to drive emigration, while Bolivia faces growing instability due to its declining economy.
—Laura Begley Bloom, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for authoritarian 
Adjective
Under Xi, China has become more authoritarian, and Beijing has drawn closer to like-minded countries, including Russia and Iran, drawing intense hostility from Washington that sees this loose coalition of dictatorial nations as bent on creating a more dangerous and volatile multipolar world.
—Brad Dress, The Hill, 7 Jan. 2025
What about critics who say Mexico is on a path to a one-party, authoritarian state?
Authoritarian, really?
—Patrick J. McDonnell, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2025
Current legislation on this matter already vets for all kinds of criminals, terrorists, affiliates of authoritarian regimes, and anyone who may otherwise seek to overthrow the government or use violence against Americans.
—Agustina Vergara Cid, Orange County Register, 29 Dec. 2024
In Venezuela, the authoritarian rule continues to drive emigration, while Bolivia faces growing instability due to its declining economy.
—Laura Begley Bloom, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for authoritarian
Recent Examples of Synonyms for authoritarian
Adjective
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The only thing left to contend with is her domineering mother, the formidable 90-year-old Lenore Simmons Krackenberry, who is obsessed with family lineage and Southern heritage.Matt Grobar, Deadline, 7 Jan. 2025
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Smith is fantastic and terrifying as Mrs. Medlock in The Secret Garden, the stentorian nurse and housekeeper whose domineering overcautiousness feeds into all the self-pitying inclinations of her poor weakling charge Colin Craven.Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 27 Sep. 2024
Adjective
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Certified billing software must meet strict criteria to ensure data integrity and support potential real-time reporting.Aleksandra Bal, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025
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In fact, there's a strict set of rules the cast must follow.Rebecca Aizin, People.com, 11 Jan. 2025
Noun
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After three years with John Fox, Pace didn’t need to fully reset the culture inside Halas Hall and bring in an experienced disciplinarian because Fox had helped clean up the mess left behind by the Phil Emery/Marc Trestman administration.Adam Jahns, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
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There are no old-school disciplinarians in the NFL any longer, but Campbell’s success is based on toughness, winning the one-on-one battles and gambling that his team will be successful on fourth-down plays.Steve Silverman, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Biden leaves office in a period of global turbulence, with the Israel-Hamas war ongoing; Syria under rebel leadership after its dictator, Bashar al-Assad, was suddenly ousted; and a civil war raging in Sudan.Francesca Chambers, USA TODAY, 13 Jan. 2025
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Biden spoke Sunday with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about changes resulting from a ceasefire deal in Lebanon and the fall of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, the White House said.Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 13 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Teamsters officials later complained that Harris, who would go on to lose all seven battleground states, was arrogant in her dealings with them.W. James Antle III, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 30 Dec. 2024
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Russia, Iran, and many other countries criticize U.S. military interventions as arrogant, ignorant of local context, and unable to fashion either stable regimes or effective security structures.Alexander Baunov, Foreign Affairs, 26 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Advocates and relatives describe harsh conditions in immigration detention.Dake Kang and Huizhong Wu, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2025
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Florida threatens to lead the nation in state killings now because of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ new law, the nation’s harshest, allowing as few as eight of 12 jurors to recommend execution instead of a unanimous verdict.Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel Editorial Boards, Orlando Sentinel, 11 Jan. 2025
Noun
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But Muir’s co-moderator, Linsey Davis, was a different case: Davis wore a mannish, gray suit jacket and struck a pose of martinet — almost schoolmarmish — solemnity.Armond White, National Review, 20 Sep. 2024
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There’s Cece’s father, long vanished; Ronnie, a predator; Marcel, a martinet; Joel, a manipulator; and a random catcaller in the street, whom Cece sends scurrying away by turning her acting skills to practical use.Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 12 June 2024
Noun
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This frees up Hope to be a tyrant to the wedding planning committee.Sara Netzley, EW.com, 19 Dec. 2024
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Movements, parties, and tyrants thrive on xenophobia—the word might be specifically Hellenic, but the sentiment is universal.Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 22 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near authoritarian
Cite this Entry
“Authoritarian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/authoritarian. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
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