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

After years of increasingly authoritarian rule under Georgian Dream, it was widely considered the most crucial vote since Georgians backed independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

From BBC

The exercises demonstrated repeatedly that an authoritarian in control of the executive branch with little concern for legal limits holds a structural advantage over any lawful effort to restrain him.

From Salon

She said it was “impossible to protest in an authoritarian state”, adding that this is why the rally was so crucial.

From BBC

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

Related Words

• autocrat
• disciplinarian