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
Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 13 Dec. 2024
My understanding has always been that the relic trade is loosely tolerated by the powers that be (many of whom have some pretty choice relics of their own), because one of the sneakiest ways authoritarian societies thrive is by letting their subjects get away with petty rebellions.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 13 Dec. 2024
Migrant and refugee crackdowns worldwide amid war, violence, climate change, technological surveillance and the rise of authoritarian rulers are giving fuel to a new genre in literature — the dystopian immigration novel.
—Russell Contreras, Axios, 12 Dec. 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for authoritarian 
Adjective
Dissidents are born out of this choice: either assert their authentic selves or accept the authoritarian’s mafioso bargain, safety and protection in exchange for keeping one’s head down.
—Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 13 Dec. 2024
My understanding has always been that the relic trade is loosely tolerated by the powers that be (many of whom have some pretty choice relics of their own), because one of the sneakiest ways authoritarian societies thrive is by letting their subjects get away with petty rebellions.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 13 Dec. 2024
Migrant and refugee crackdowns worldwide amid war, violence, climate change, technological surveillance and the rise of authoritarian rulers are giving fuel to a new genre in literature — the dystopian immigration novel.
—Russell Contreras, Axios, 12 Dec. 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for authoritarian
Recent Examples of Synonyms for authoritarian
Adjective
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The Attitude Era succeeded on the backs of all-time greats Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock, with Vince McMahon a domineering force both behind the scenes and on camera.Alfred Konuwa, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024
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Taurus April 20 – May 20 You might currently be motivated to stand your ground against a domineering authority figure.Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 20 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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One example of such concessions that China can make would be promising stricter oversight on fentanyl trades, Scissors added.Anniek Bao, CNBC, 13 Dec. 2024
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Essentially, this meant that Google would reject emails addressed to Gmail users that didn’t meet strict new email domain authentication rules.Davey Winder, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Their father, Jack, was a strict disciplinarian and a heavy drinker, while their mother, Katherine, was a housewife with a history of depression, according to court documents.Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024
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The elder Corcoran was a strict disciplinarian and a heavy drinker, according to court documents.Kristine Phillips, The Indianapolis Star, 12 Dec. 2024
Noun
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More specifically, in Europe the top three destinations for dictators are Russia, the UK and France!Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
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When Assad’s reign ended on Sunday, the dictator fled to Moscow, where Russian President Vladimir Putin granted him asylum.Michael Collins, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The arrogant millionaire heir James Beaufort (Damian Hardung) then has to deal with the quick-witted scholarship student, for better or worse.Matt Grobar, Deadline, 3 Dec. 2024
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The truth is that women often downplay their accomplishments to avoid being perceived as arrogant, but this approach can unintentionally undermine your professional growth.Nicole Lipkin, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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The corps’ push for additional benefits coincided with a harsh realization for the British Army: For white men, service in the West Indies was viewed as a death sentence due to the high risk of disease.Kinsey Gidick, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Dec. 2024
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With his latest project, he’s found a balance between the harsher realities of the real world, and his own playful spirit.Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 11 Dec. 2024
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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The Middle East is a region of tyrants, from Iran to Saudi Arabia.John Feffer, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
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Some tyrants just can’t resist meddling with the calendar.Jack Butler, National Review, 28 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near authoritarian
Cite this Entry
“Authoritarian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/authoritarian. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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