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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of authoritarian
Odette Yousef, NPR, 6 Feb. 2025
Maybe Hollywood was more willing to tell these kinds of stories when authoritarian threats were primarily external, rather than coming from within.
—Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2025
And why might Tregenza highlight continuities between a murderous authoritarian regime and modern democracies?
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2025
Over the past decade, during which the authoritarian Law and Justice party has ruled in Poland, the Centre has served as a staunch defender of independent research.
—Natalia Romik / Madę By History, TIME, 27 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for authoritarian 
Adjective
For extremism experts and some within the trans community, the accusations speak to a highly dangerous political strategy to sow division and expand authoritarian control.
—Odette Yousef, NPR, 6 Feb. 2025
Maybe Hollywood was more willing to tell these kinds of stories when authoritarian threats were primarily external, rather than coming from within.
—Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2025
And why might Tregenza highlight continuities between a murderous authoritarian regime and modern democracies?
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2025
Over the past decade, during which the authoritarian Law and Justice party has ruled in Poland, the Centre has served as a staunch defender of independent research.
—Natalia Romik / Madę By History, TIME, 27 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for authoritarian
Recent Examples of Synonyms for authoritarian
Adjective
-
He’s had something of a habit of playing domineering fathers, doing so on Ugly Betty (2006–2007) and as Charles Widmore on Lost (2006–2010).—
Sezin Devi Koehler,
EW.com,
8 Feb. 2025
-
The stress of being a loyal husband and father while toiling tirelessly at Spacely Space Sprockets – headed by a domineering man with a Napoleon complex – seems to float away as the zooming saucer-like aero cars with large bubble roofs leave behind popcorn-like residue from fuel pellets and radium.—
Natasha Gural,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The state, through the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD), mandates that health care facilities meet strict seismic safety standards.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
16 Feb. 2025
-
Congress can revise eligibility for welfare benefits and impose stricter time limits, alleviating the cost to taxpayers and reducing incentives to enter the country illegally.—
Betsy McCaughey,
Boston Herald,
15 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
When the Syrian Assad regime was toppled, many outside Syria assumed Christians were aligned with the dictator.—
Anders Fogh Rasmussen,
Newsweek,
4 Feb. 2025
-
Marc Caputo Jan 18, 2025 - Energy & Climate Trump's team wants Maduro to leave Venezuela The incoming Trump administration wants regime change in Venezuela, where dictator Nicolás Maduro stole his election, jailed a rival and this month even threatened to invade the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico.—
Avery Lotz,
Axios,
3 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Saxon, for instance, is filling the same spoiled, arrogant space as Jake Lacy’s Shane from Season One.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
11 Feb. 2025
-
From director James Ashcroft (Coming Home in the Dark), who co-wrote the script with Eli Kent, The Rule of Jenny Pen centers on arrogant judge Stefan Mortensen (Rush), who has to live in a retirement home after a near-fatal stroke leaves him partially paralyzed.—
Sydney Bucksbaum,
EW.com,
3 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The protest was not politically motivated, but demonstrations in the country can sometimes lead to political unrest under the harsh regime.—
Brie Stimson,
Fox News,
16 Feb. 2025
-
The delays follow the National Weather Service (NWS) issuing a warning over harsh weather for residents of Huntersville and Gastonia in North Carolina, which is also affecting the Charlotte Douglas Airport.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
16 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
Having been tapped by President Trump, very soon Rep. Elise Stefanik will step away from her upstate congressional district and make a fine ambassador to the United Nations, taking on the Russians, Chinese, Iranians, North Koreans and various other dictators and tyrants on the East Side.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
3 Feb. 2025
-
Once upon a time, his wealthy father, the eponymous Pedro Páramo (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo) ruled these parts like a tyrant.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near authoritarian
Cite this Entry
“Authoritarian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/authoritarian. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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