authoritarian

American  

[uh-thawr-i-tair-ee-uhn, uh-thor-] / əˌθɔr ɪˈtɛər i ən, əˌθɒr- /

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.

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noun

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

authoritarian British  

/ 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

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noun

1. a person who favours or practises authoritarian policies

Other Word Forms

• antiauthoritarian adjective
• antiauthoritarianism noun
• authoritarianism noun
• nonauthoritarian adjective

Etymology

Origin of authoritarian

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

Related Words

• autocratic
• dictatorial
• imperious
• rigid
• strict
• totalitarian
• tyrannical