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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for authoritarianism
Noun
-
Its black and white or brown flecks convey a fresh, modern feel that's ideal for breaking away from the tyranny of basics.—
María Munsuri,
Glamour,
24 Aug. 2025 -
Weekend spice: The tyranny of pumpkin spice menu items has come early this year, thanks to Aroma Joe’s (with South Florida locations in Wilton Manors and Pompano Beach) and its new Poppin’ Pumpkin Latte.—
Ben Crandell,
Sun Sentinel,
20 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
As Chile’s dictatorship nears its end, 15-year-old Celeste’s beach holiday turns tragic, fracturing her family and childhood.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
16 Aug. 2025
-
This was true of monarchies, which were fiercely contested by major Enlightenment movements, and later of dictatorships, which defined much of the 20th century and continue to shape the lives of billions today in various parts of the world.—
Davide Sartini,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Prosecutors who push for tough punishments are accused of fascism and run out of town.—
Wendy Murphy,
Boston Herald,
11 Aug. 2025
-
The curious pun read to critics as a dog whistle for white supremacy, eugenics, and fascism in Trump‘s America — a wink to Sweeney’s correspondence to an Aryan archetype.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
30 July 2025
Noun
-
For a while, autocracies were fighting a defensive, rearguard battle.—
Robert O. Keohane,
Foreign Affairs,
2 June 2025
-
Even Trump’s most pessimistic critics have been startled by the speed with which the President, in his second term, has moved to impose autocracy on America, concentrating power in the executive branch—and often enough in the hands of the richest men on earth.—
Ava Kofman,
New Yorker,
2 June 2025
Noun
-
Brzezinski would dedicate his academic and professional life to studying and undermining the forces of totalitarianism and authoritarianism that had overtaken his homeland during his childhood.—
Niall Ferguson,
Foreign Affairs,
19 Aug. 2025
-
George Orwell himself has gone in and out of favor over the revisionist years, but the British author’s searing insights into empire and power and totalitarianism have never lost relevance.—
Sheri Linden,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2025
Noun
-
If not for our nation’s First Amendment, our country could quickly resemble a despotism where police forces attack reporters and quash news reports that diverge from the official view.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
15 July 2025
-
Can that Huntington Beach teach the rest of us a thing — or thirty — not just about how to stand up to despotism, but how to beat it back?—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
28 June 2025
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.
Cite this Entry
“Authoritarianism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/authoritarianism. Accessed 29 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share