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
Synonyms of authoritarian
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
Set beside tanks and May 18, a coffee promotion had opened two of the country’s rawest authoritarian-era wounds.
—
Roger Dooley,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2026
In the nation’s gravest hour, the country’s authoritarian regime has crippled an effective response, say survivors, rescue workers and former officials.
—
Terrence McCoy,
Washington Post,
1 July 2026
The communist influx threw open the question of whether the DSA would support authoritarian parties and states around the world.
—
Jonathan Chait,
The Atlantic,
1 July 2026
Some are fleeing authoritarian regimes, war or natural disasters.
—
Angie Leventis Lourgos,
Chicago Tribune,
28 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for authoritarian
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Roger Dooley,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2026
In the nation’s gravest hour, the country’s authoritarian regime has crippled an effective response, say survivors, rescue workers and former officials.
—
Terrence McCoy,
Washington Post,
1 July 2026
The communist influx threw open the question of whether the DSA would support authoritarian parties and states around the world.
—
Jonathan Chait,
The Atlantic,
1 July 2026
Some are fleeing authoritarian regimes, war or natural disasters.
—
Angie Leventis Lourgos,
Chicago Tribune,
28 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for authoritarian
Cite this Entry
“Authoritarian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/authoritarian. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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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