as in tyranny
a system of government in which the ruler has unlimited power
a critical period that saw a number of third-world countries abandon authoritarianism for democracy
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Recent Examples of authoritarianism
In September, when House Democrats gathered for a post-recess caucus meeting, several members argued that their message should focus on big themes, such as authoritarianism and corruption.
—
Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
The column got mostly positive reactions — well, except from media outlets that are cheering on our descent into authoritarianism.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 18 May 2026
The adaptation of Robert Musil’s novel about cruelty and authoritarianism in an Austrian military boarding school caused an immediate scandal.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026
Nor does competitive authoritarianism ensure permanent rule.
—Frank Langfitt, NPR, 13 May 2026
Drawing on her everyday experiences as a single mother, her work addresses issues connected to the political domestication of women, authoritarianism and fascism, the patriarchy and capitalism.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 7 May 2026
While supporters credit the movement with restoring stability and defeating the Shining Path, critics associate it with authoritarianism, corruption, and human rights abuses.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 May 2026
The surge of authoritarianism followed almost naturally.
—Literary Hub, 29 Apr. 2026
Garber’s book offers reason to think that the decline of reading and the rise of authoritarianism are twinned forms of disempowerment.
—Charlie Tyson, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
The column got mostly positive reactions — well, except from media outlets that are cheering on our descent into authoritarianism.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 18 May 2026
The adaptation of Robert Musil’s novel about cruelty and authoritarianism in an Austrian military boarding school caused an immediate scandal.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026
Nor does competitive authoritarianism ensure permanent rule.
—Frank Langfitt, NPR, 13 May 2026
Drawing on her everyday experiences as a single mother, her work addresses issues connected to the political domestication of women, authoritarianism and fascism, the patriarchy and capitalism.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 7 May 2026
While supporters credit the movement with restoring stability and defeating the Shining Path, critics associate it with authoritarianism, corruption, and human rights abuses.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 May 2026
The surge of authoritarianism followed almost naturally.
—Literary Hub, 29 Apr. 2026
Garber’s book offers reason to think that the decline of reading and the rise of authoritarianism are twinned forms of disempowerment.
—Charlie Tyson, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for authoritarianism
Noun
-
The balance of power between federal and state governments was the best way to prevent tyranny, manage national affairs such as foreign policy and commerce, and preserve state autonomy over internal local affairs.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
15 May 2026
-
Assayas offers anecdotes, a feuilleton of tyranny in which the foibles of the mighty and the ruthless reveal the sentimental side of cruelty, the amusement value of ugly deeds, and the polite side of monstrous ideas.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
The filmmaker explores how Inés’ coming of age mirrors the lingering wounds of Chile’s political transition to democracy from the dictatorship of General Augusto Pinochet – a theme at the heart of Martelli’s feature debut Chile ’76, which premiered in the Directors’ Fortnight at Cannes.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
12 May 2026
-
Many had argued that the banner, which largely meditates on the violence of the Suharto dictatorship in Indonesia, contained antisemitic caricatures.—
Harrison Jacobs,
ARTnews.com,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
Taking on fascism isn’t right for every program.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
15 May 2026
-
More generally, all forms of fascism begin this way.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Once in office, Putin installed Vadim as an adviser to help consolidate his administration into an autocracy responsible for the suppression of civil liberties, for wars in Chechnya and Ukraine, and for a campaign of disinformation and interference in Western democracies.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
13 May 2026
-
If Magyar fails to fix the system and deliver results, a return to autocracy would be likely.—
Elizabeth Shackelford,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
His parents’ experience living under totalitarianism shaped his outlook on the world.—
Iris Kwok
May 12,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
-
Another totalitarianism, so recently an ally, was already on the march.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
Eight decades later, as nations inch toward despotism, an art animated by democratic impulses makes a stronger case for itself.—
Judith Shulevitz,
The Atlantic,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The hope is that the institutional reforms started by the interim administration of Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus deliver the necessary checks and balances to avert another lurch toward despotism.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Authoritarianism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/authoritarianism. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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