1
as in domineering
fond of ordering people around
grew up with an authoritarian older sister who thought she was queen of the world
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in strict
given to exacting standards of discipline and self-restraint
an authoritarian coach who runs football practice like it's boot camp
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in disciplinarian
Related Words
2
as in dictator
Related Words
Example Sentences
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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of authoritarian
Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 18 June 2025
Yet this announcement came amid rising threats to U.S. national security from the authoritarian governments of nations such as China, Russia, North Korea, Iran, and others.
—Olivia Enos, National Review, 16 June 2025
The last decade of scholarship has made clear, however, the very real differences among authoritarian regimes and the implications for their foreign policy and national security choices.
—Elizabeth N. Saunders, Foreign Affairs, 16 June 2025
Protestors in Geneva, who were lined up along Randall Road from Fabyan Parkway to Fargo Boulevard, held up signs that criticized Trump, compared his administration to authoritarian regimes and celebrated American democracy and diversity, among other things.
—R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 14 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for authoritarian
Noun
Democrats have characterized identity concealment as resembling tactics used by authoritarian regimes.
—Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 18 June 2025
Yet this announcement came amid rising threats to U.S. national security from the authoritarian governments of nations such as China, Russia, North Korea, Iran, and others.
—Olivia Enos, National Review, 16 June 2025
The last decade of scholarship has made clear, however, the very real differences among authoritarian regimes and the implications for their foreign policy and national security choices.
—Elizabeth N. Saunders, Foreign Affairs, 16 June 2025
Protestors in Geneva, who were lined up along Randall Road from Fabyan Parkway to Fargo Boulevard, held up signs that criticized Trump, compared his administration to authoritarian regimes and celebrated American democracy and diversity, among other things.
—R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 14 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for authoritarian
Recent Examples of Synonyms for authoritarian
Adjective
-
Despite his character's domineering presence, Morse told ScreenRant there's more than meets the eye.—
Allison DeGrushe Published,
EW.com,
18 June 2025
-
It was then put to Tuchel that the show’s host Adrian Durham has friends who think England would be better off without Bellingham in the team, referring to that domineering personality.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
13 June 2025
Adjective
-
Officials accomplished this by re-evaluating risk, putting strict limits on how long a person can be held in isolation and expanding behavioral health programs.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 June 2025
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The train itself is powered by energy-efficient DX-class diesel-electric locomotives, and the carrier maintains strict environmental protocols, including waste minimization and recycling practices on board.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2025
Noun
-
He was variously depicted as both a strict disciplinarian and also an emotionally intelligent father figure to the players.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
1 June 2025
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Either way, Columbia could more easily identify the protesters, much to the advantage of disciplinarians looking to move fast.—
Cayla Bamberger,
New York Daily News,
9 May 2025
Noun
-
Libya’s dictator Moammar Gadhafi disarmed in 2003, at Western urging, especially from the United States, and subsequently ended up dead in a ditch.—
Elizabeth Shackelford,
Chicago Tribune,
27 June 2025
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Former Italian dictator Benito Mussolini (left) and his great-grandson, Lazio player Romano Mussolini (right).—
Isabel van Brugen,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 June 2025
Adjective
-
The protests proved conclusively that Americans will not tolerate the deployment of the U.S. military in American cities, the constant line-stepping over constitutional boundaries, the arrests of political dissenters, or the arrogant defense of police-state tactics.—
Newsweek Staff,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 June 2025
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In Aesop’s fable, the turtle (traditionally called a tortoise, which is a type of turtle) is a winner, a perpetual underdog who defeats the arrogant hare.—
A.O. Scott,
New York Times,
13 June 2025
Adjective
-
Come spring, the Ranger III carries everything from outhouses and diesel fuel for the generators to construction supplies to repair whatever damage Mother Nature did to facilities over the harsh winter.—
Diana Lambdin Meyer,
USA Today,
28 June 2025
-
The United States and Europe must finally sever all economic ties with Russia (e.g., nuclear partnerships) and impose harsher sanctions on Russia and secondary sanctions so that China and others face consequences for their support of the war.—
Laura Thornton,
Twin Cities,
27 June 2025
Noun
-
But Muir’s co-moderator, Linsey Davis, was a different case: Davis wore a mannish, gray suit jacket and struck a pose of martinet — almost schoolmarmish — solemnity.—
Armond White,
National Review,
20 Sep. 2024
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There’s Cece’s father, long vanished; Ronnie, a predator; Marcel, a martinet; Joel, a manipulator; and a random catcaller in the street, whom Cece sends scurrying away by turning her acting skills to practical use.—
Richard Brody,
The New Yorker,
12 June 2024
Noun
-
While the modern world rages outside their four walls, everything inside is immune to the tyrant of time.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
21 June 2025
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But is that the same for employees who work for a tyrant?—
Daniel Arkin,
NBC news,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Authoritarian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/authoritarian. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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