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
An unwritten rule reserving membership for liberal democracies keeps authoritarian China out, even as its trade surplus, rare minerals, military buildup and huge carbon footprint dominate the summit’s agenda.
—
John Leicester, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2026
The death of Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei stunned Iranians, many of whom had never known anything but his authoritarian leadership.
—Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 14 June 2026
Our research suggests that activists seeking to protect American democracy from authoritarian influences are pursuing a failing strategy.
—Scott Warren, The Atlantic, 13 June 2026
Taking the helm as bureau chief in 1980, Briscoe charted the waning years of Ferdinand Marcos’ authoritarian regime and the turmoil unleashed by the assassination of opposition leader Benigno Aquino Jr.
—ABC News, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for authoritarian
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John Leicester, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2026
The death of Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei stunned Iranians, many of whom had never known anything but his authoritarian leadership.
—Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 14 June 2026
Our research suggests that activists seeking to protect American democracy from authoritarian influences are pursuing a failing strategy.
—Scott Warren, The Atlantic, 13 June 2026
Taking the helm as bureau chief in 1980, Briscoe charted the waning years of Ferdinand Marcos’ authoritarian regime and the turmoil unleashed by the assassination of opposition leader Benigno Aquino Jr.
—ABC News, 10 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 18 Jun. 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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