authoritarian

1 of 2

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

authoritarianism

ȯ-ˌthȯr-ə-ˈter-ē-ə-ˌni-zəm 

ə-, 

-ˌthär-

noun

authoritarianism

2 of 2

noun

au·​thor·​i·​tar·​i·​an·​ism ȯ-ˌthär-ə-ˈter-ē-ə-ˌni-zəm  ə- 

-ˌthȯr-

plural -s

: an authoritarian system : authoritarian principles

Synonyms of authoritarian

Adjective

• domineering
• arrogant
• autocratic
• authoritative
• despotic
• dictatorial
• tyrannical

Examples of authoritarian in a Sentence

Adjective

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

Adjective

Mason said experts in her field do not deny the existence of authoritarian personalities on the left, but ended up developing other, less partisan scales including one based on people's values for raising children. — Lisa Hagen, NPR, 30 Sep. 2026

The second half throws us into the other timeline, where Ari’s doppelgänger, known as Ibari, is a high-ranking undercover operative willing to disappear fellow citizens that pose challenges to the authoritarian government. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 28 Sep. 2026

The third step of his plan, for instance, calls for coordination between democratic governments and authoritarian governments. — Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2026

Can liberal reformers unwind authoritarian state capture without, themselves, engaging in at least a little bit of illiberalism? — Will Freeman, The Atlantic, 20 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

authority + -arian

First Known Use

Adjective

1861, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1868, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing authoritarian

• anti-authoritarian

Rhymes for authoritarian

• antiquarian
• libertarian
• millenarian
• nonsectarian
• proletarian
• sanitarian
• trinitarian
• unitarian
• vegetarian
• veterinarian
• agrarian
• aquarian

Kids 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

authoritarianism

-ē-ə-ˌniz-əm 

noun