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
The country is not like other countries that have had authoritarian histories.
—
Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 19 June 2025
The Iranian state is a competitive authoritarian system with institutions that have evolved over a century.
—Narges Bajoghli, Time, 19 June 2025
Democracy organizations worldwide document how authoritarian regimes and opportunistic politicians weaponize AI to consolidate power.
—Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025
But he is despised by Thailand’s powerful elites, who saw his rule as corrupt, authoritarian and socially destabilizing.
—Lionel Lim, Fortune, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for authoritarian
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 19 June 2025
The Iranian state is a competitive authoritarian system with institutions that have evolved over a century.
—Narges Bajoghli, Time, 19 June 2025
Democracy organizations worldwide document how authoritarian regimes and opportunistic politicians weaponize AI to consolidate power.
—Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025
But he is despised by Thailand’s powerful elites, who saw his rule as corrupt, authoritarian and socially destabilizing.
—Lionel Lim, Fortune, 19 June 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 3 Jul. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share