authoritarian

[ uh-thawr-i-tair-ee-uhn, uh-thor- ]

adjective

1. favoring complete obedience or subjection to authority as opposed to individual freedom:

   authoritarian principles; authoritarian attitudes.

2. of or relating to a governmental or political system, principle, or practice in which individual freedom is held as completely subordinate to the power or authority of the state, centered either in one person or a small group that is not constitutionally accountable to the people.
3. exercising complete or almost complete control over the will of another or of others:

   an authoritarian parent.

noun

1. a person who favors or acts according to authoritarian principles.

authoritarian

/ ɔːˌθɒrɪˈtɛərɪən /

adjective

1. favouring, denoting, or characterized by strict obedience to authority
2. favouring, denoting, or relating to government by a small elite with wide powers
3. despotic; dictatorial; domineering

noun

1. a person who favours or practises authoritarian policies

Derived Forms

• auˌthoriˈtarianism, noun

Other Words From

• au·thori·tari·an·ism noun
• anti·au·thori·tari·an adjective
• anti·au·thori·tari·an·ism noun
• nonau·thori·tari·an adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of authoritarian¹

First recorded in 1875–80; authorit(y) + -arian

Example Sentences

One civilization is authoritarian, which claims to rule in the name of the people; the other is an anarchistic society in which everyone looks out for one another.

From Los Angeles Times

Whether our democracy will still be standing four years from now depends on our willingness to defend it and protect those most vulnerable well before Trump’s authoritarian policies reach most of us personally.

From Salon

It's the Achilles heel of authoritarians throughout time.

From Salon

"I think it is one of the rules of the authoritarian government, to arrest, to detain the people who have the power to impact opinion," Mr Ibadoglu told the BBC in an interview this week.

From BBC

Fascists and authoritarians want complete control and 24/7 propaganda.

From Salon

Related Words

• autocrat
• disciplinarian