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
As members of Biden’s team briefed the incoming secretary of state on the agreement, most expected the zealous Republican to squash the deal as too soft on Cuba’s authoritarian government, according to two people familiar with the meeting.
—
Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026
The Washington Post’s Venezuela reporter writes on a couple divided by the authoritarian regime in Caracas — and their joyful reunion.
—Ana Vanessa Herrero, Washington Post, 23 Mar. 2026
What authoritarian regimes seek to erase, the law preserves.
—Christina Hioureas, Rolling Stone, 22 Mar. 2026
This disaggregation will not prevent the possibility of authoritarian abuse.
—Paul Rosenzweig, The Atlantic, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for authoritarian
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Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026
The Washington Post’s Venezuela reporter writes on a couple divided by the authoritarian regime in Caracas — and their joyful reunion.
—Ana Vanessa Herrero, Washington Post, 23 Mar. 2026
What authoritarian regimes seek to erase, the law preserves.
—Christina Hioureas, Rolling Stone, 22 Mar. 2026
This disaggregation will not prevent the possibility of authoritarian abuse.
—Paul Rosenzweig, The Atlantic, 22 Mar. 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 26 Mar. 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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