authoritarian
adjective
au·thor·i·tar·i·an
ȯ-ˌthȯr-ə-ˈter-ē-ən 
ə-,
-ˌthär-
1
: of, relating to, or favoring blind submission to authority
had authoritarian parents
2
: of, relating to, or favoring a concentration of power in a leader or an elite not constitutionally responsible to the people
an authoritarian regime
authoritarian
noun
Examples of authoritarian in a Sentence
grew up with an authoritarian older sister who thought she was queen of the world
an authoritarian coach who runs football practice like it's boot camp
Recent Examples on the Web
Great Again agenda, and that the Biden administration was guilty of many seemingly authoritarian measures, too.
—
Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 28 Sep. 2025
Next, imagine that those same authoritarian-minded people were recruited by and answer to a president who daily calls for investigations, fines, firings, lawsuits, or worse against any American individual or organization that opposes his policies.
—Patrick Eddington, Oc Register, 25 Sep. 2025
At the same time, the film has a baseline level of regard for those acting in protection of others, rather than in defense of authoritarian ideals.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
Set in late-1990s Santiago, the film weaves an intimate coming-of-age story with a sharp reflection on Chile’s authoritarian and neoliberal legacy.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for authoritarian
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Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 28 Sep. 2025
Next, imagine that those same authoritarian-minded people were recruited by and answer to a president who daily calls for investigations, fines, firings, lawsuits, or worse against any American individual or organization that opposes his policies.
—Patrick Eddington, Oc Register, 25 Sep. 2025
At the same time, the film has a baseline level of regard for those acting in protection of others, rather than in defense of authoritarian ideals.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
Set in late-1990s Santiago, the film weaves an intimate coming-of-age story with a sharp reflection on Chile’s authoritarian and neoliberal legacy.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for authoritarian
Cite this Entry
“Authoritarian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/authoritarian. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
authoritarian
adjective
au·thor·i·tar·i·an
ȯ-ˌthär-ə-ˈter-ē-ən
ə-,
-ˌthȯr-
1
: expecting strict obedience to one's authority
had authoritarian parents
2
: based on the principle that the leaders and not the people have the final authority
an authoritarian state
authoritarian
noun
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