antidemocratic

adjective

Definition of antidemocraticnext
as in totalitarian

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of antidemocratic Great replacement theory has spurred many everyday White people into supporting antidemocratic political parties that harm most White people—and the rest of us. — Literary Hub, 18 Mar. 2026 By partly neutralizing criticism that its leaders are elitist or antidemocratic, the right has been able to focus on issues that play to its strengths. — Brian Winter, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025 That is why critics of gerrymandering are right to regard it as antidemocratic. — Craig Gilbert, jsonline.com, 25 Sep. 2025 That pursuit was also driven by the transformation of conservatism itself—which, beginning in the Nineties, became ever more extremist, populist, anti-government, antidemocratic, and supportive of authoritarian measures. — Terry M. Moe, Harpers Magazine, 16 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for antidemocratic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for antidemocratic
  1. totalitarian
  2. oppressive
  3. authoritarian
  4. autocratic
  5. magisterial
  6. tyrannical
Adjective
  • The foundation’s goal is to memorialize those killed by communist regimes and pursue freedom for people still living under totalitarian rule.
    — Anna Maria Barry-Jester, ProPublica, 17 July 2026
  • Navratilova defected from Czechoslovakia to the United States in 1975 at 18 years old, leaving a totalitarian regime to embrace American culture.
    — Makena Gera, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026
Definition of totalitarian
Adjective
  • Above 65, the air is much more humid, and the heat can feel oppressive.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 23 July 2026
  • Despite the oppressive heat, Xavi signs every single shirt and takes photos with members of the Johan Cruyff Foundation.
    — Jay Harris, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Definition of oppressive
Adjective
  • Socialism is an expansive term, applicable both to Scandinavian social democracies with strong private sectors and to authoritarian Communist regimes.
    — James Kirchick, The Atlantic, 21 July 2026
  • The data shows that democracies are overrepresented at the World Cup and also tend to do better than authoritarian nations – but does that matter?
    — John A. Tures, Fortune, 19 July 2026
Definition of authoritarian
Adjective
  • My answer focuses on the role of autocratic political elites – that is, the party officials, military officers and other regime insiders who control the state.
    — José Kaire, The Conversation, 17 July 2026
  • His government has promised political and economic reform after decades of autocratic rule of the Assad family, which ended when former President Bashar Assad was ousted in an insurgent offensive in December 2024 led by al-Sharaa.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 July 2026
Definition of autocratic
Adjective
  • Nolan divides the sacking of Troy into two lengthy sequences, both shot under cover of darkness but edited (by Jennifer Lame) with a magisterial clarity.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 17 July 2026
  • Force’s plan came to fruition in 1837, when the government published nine volumes—most of them considerably more than 1,000 pages—under the magisterial title American Archives.
    — T. H. Breen, The Atlantic, 3 July 2026
Definition of magisterial
Adjective
  • The Hawaiians viewed the new rules as tyrannical; those with the disease were wont to hide in the hills of the islands, forever on the run.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 July 2026
  • Earth’s fighters team up to stop the tyrannical emperor Shao Kahn, with the help of the deadly Edenian princess Kitana.
    — Arushi Jacob, Variety, 17 July 2026
Definition of tyrannical

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antidemocratic
antidepressant
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Cite this Entry

“Antidemocratic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/antidemocratic. Accessed 30 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on antidemocratic

Nglish: Translation of antidemocratic for Spanish Speakers

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