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
Experts caution that Rodríguez could impose a more technocratic — but no less authoritarian — version of Chavismo, pairing negotiation skills with control over electoral processes and state information systems.
—
Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 13 Dec. 2025
Their release comes as authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko seeks to improve relations with Washington.
—CBS News, 13 Dec. 2025
Clearly, there’s something about Panahi’s exploration of the moral dilemmas of life under an authoritarian government that’s resonating with Stateside viewers.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 12 Dec. 2025
The legislation would implement a full pullback of sanctions on Syria as the Middle Eastern country marks a year since the overthrow of dictator Bashar Assad and the establishment of an interim government pushing to step away from his brutal, authoritarian legacy.
—Jared Gans, The Hill, 9 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for authoritarian
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Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 13 Dec. 2025
Their release comes as authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko seeks to improve relations with Washington.
—CBS News, 13 Dec. 2025
Clearly, there’s something about Panahi’s exploration of the moral dilemmas of life under an authoritarian government that’s resonating with Stateside viewers.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 12 Dec. 2025
The legislation would implement a full pullback of sanctions on Syria as the Middle Eastern country marks a year since the overthrow of dictator Bashar Assad and the establishment of an interim government pushing to step away from his brutal, authoritarian legacy.
—Jared Gans, The Hill, 9 Dec. 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 19 Dec. 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
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