paternalistic

[ puh-tur-nl-is-tik ]

adjective

1. (of governance, management, or behavior) based in a system positing that authority knows best; outwardly benevolent, but often in a condescending or controlling way:

   In the paternalistic model of medicine, the doctor adopts the role of decision-maker and dictates what would be best for the patient.

   We sought a less paternalistic and more enabling role for the school board, one guided by community engagement and support.

Other Words From

• pa·ter·nal·is·ti·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of paternalistic¹

paternal ( def ) + -istic ( def )

Example Sentences

The protection of women — purportedly a benevolent, paternalistic gesture — has instead been historically grounded in and applied for the purposes of controlling women.

From Salon

“I know for some women that’s very scary and all, but it’s almost a paternalistic kind of view.”

From Los Angeles Times

The military thought “that Brazil could deal with native peoples in a paternalistic way and could prepare them for civilization,” Krenak told The Associated Press in an interview following Tuesday’s apology.

From Seattle Times

Out-of-wedlock births are rare in Japan because of family values based on a paternalistic tradition.

From Seattle Times

But change has come slowly in a country of conformity with a conservative government that sticks to traditional paternalistic values and is reluctant to accept gender, sexual and family diversity,

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• condescending
• patronizing