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
During the Cold War, the United States partnered with authoritarian regimes, such as Anastasio Somoza of Nicaragua and Mobutu Sese Seko in then-Zaire, to contain Soviet expansion, often generating backlash.
—
Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
Will Mourinho take the more authoritarian approach he is expected to?
—Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 29 May 2026
Another is how Russian and Chinese political elites, and some in the United States, have aligned themselves with authoritarian agendas that many privately recognize could lead to disaster.
—Literary Hub, 27 May 2026
Meanwhile, Daisy is planning to topple the authoritarian regime from the inside.
—Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for authoritarian
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Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
Will Mourinho take the more authoritarian approach he is expected to?
—Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 29 May 2026
Another is how Russian and Chinese political elites, and some in the United States, have aligned themselves with authoritarian agendas that many privately recognize could lead to disaster.
—Literary Hub, 27 May 2026
Meanwhile, Daisy is planning to topple the authoritarian regime from the inside.
—Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 27 May 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 7 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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