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
Iranians have taken to the streets repeatedly over the past 17 years to protest their authoritarian government, but the demonstrations now unfolding appear to be the largest yet.
—
Karl Vick, Time, 13 Jan. 2026
Hernández, a human rights activist and outspoken critic of the country’s authoritarian leader, Nicolás Maduro, eventually left, too.
—Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2026
What happened last week is what happens in authoritarian societies, not the United States.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 12 Jan. 2026
His government has been credibly linked to large-scale corruption, authoritarian repression and longstanding ties to illicit drug trafficking networks that have destabilized the region.
—Richard Kiy, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for authoritarian
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Karl Vick, Time, 13 Jan. 2026
Hernández, a human rights activist and outspoken critic of the country’s authoritarian leader, Nicolás Maduro, eventually left, too.
—Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2026
What happened last week is what happens in authoritarian societies, not the United States.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 12 Jan. 2026
His government has been credibly linked to large-scale corruption, authoritarian repression and longstanding ties to illicit drug trafficking networks that have destabilized the region.
—Richard Kiy, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Jan. 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 17 Jan. 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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