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
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in dictator
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of authoritarian
USA Today, 1 May 2025
This plea stands in stark contrast to our authoritarian milieu in the United States, which is defined by active contempt for the weak.
—J.p. Brammer, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2025
By then, the majority of global political regimes could range from hybrid illiberal democracies to authoritarian states.
—Rana Mitter, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
His parents were Italian immigrants who fled Benito Mussolini’s fascist regime, and his grandmother Rosa Margherita Vassallo di Bergoglio was active in Catholic Action, formed by Italian bishops who wanted to maintain their independence from Mussolini’s authoritarian rule.
—Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for authoritarian
Adjective
Hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans have come to the United States over the past few years, fleeing economic collapse and what critics call an authoritarian crackdown under President Nicolas Maduro.
—USA Today, 1 May 2025
This plea stands in stark contrast to our authoritarian milieu in the United States, which is defined by active contempt for the weak.
—J.p. Brammer, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2025
By then, the majority of global political regimes could range from hybrid illiberal democracies to authoritarian states.
—Rana Mitter, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
His parents were Italian immigrants who fled Benito Mussolini’s fascist regime, and his grandmother Rosa Margherita Vassallo di Bergoglio was active in Catholic Action, formed by Italian bishops who wanted to maintain their independence from Mussolini’s authoritarian rule.
—Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for authoritarian
Recent Examples of Synonyms for authoritarian
Adjective
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As mild-mannered schoolteacher Mr. Lisbon, James Woods plays a quiet counterpoint to his domineering wife.—
Sezin Devi Koehler,
EW.com,
21 Apr. 2025
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Among them towers the frighteningly domineering Honoria Glossop.—
Michael Hiltzik,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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For those that don’t know, Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Years is a traditional Kentucky bourbon adhering to strict requirements—100 proof, aged at least four years and produced in a single distilling season.—
Mark Littler,
Forbes.com,
30 Apr. 2025
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The Portuguese manager built his success by adhering to a strict 3-4-3 system at Sporting Lisbon.—
Brett Koremenos,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Both were industrious strivers at work and strict disciplinarians at home.—
Danielle Amir Jackson,
The Atlantic,
27 Feb. 2025
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The 45-year-old wife, accused of being the primary disciplinarian, was sentenced to 12 years in prison, while the 43-year-old husband received a 10-year sentence.—
Olivia Lloyd,
Miami Herald,
14 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Through his interactions with Saddam, Nixon gains a deeper understanding of the Iraqi dictator, the potential consequences of the invasion, and the humanitarian and geopolitical turmoil that would ensue.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
30 Apr. 2025
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The violence is stoking fears among Syria’s diverse ethnic and religious minorities who have grown increasingly worried about persecution under the rule of Syria’s new Islamist leaders, who overthrew the dictator Bashar al-Assad in December.—
Euan Ward,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The targets of Trump’s economic aggression will accept greater hardship to preserve their dignity than American voters will for the privilege of acting like arrogant menaces.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
29 Apr. 2025
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This feud carries on today, with Hogan having called out Hart for being too arrogant.—
David Faris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Vietnamese refugees who got a warm welcome from America puzzle at family separations, harsh rhetoric In Vietnam, Lam had owned three companies.—
Anh Do,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2025
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President Donald Trump has launched harsh immigration actions in his first 100 days in office—detaining more people for immigration violations, allowing arrests outside schools and courthouses, and sending more than 200 Venezuelan men to be imprisoned in El Salvador.—
Brian Bennett,
Time,
29 Apr. 2025
Noun
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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
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Throughout Russian history, Ivan the Terrible – who among his other crimes murdered his eldest son and had the head of Russian Orthodox Church strangled for dissent – was remembered as a repulsive tyrant.—
Dina Khapaeva,
The Conversation,
22 Apr. 2025
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The sixth emperor of the famed Mughal dynasty, he is considered by many detractors to be a tyrant who brutalized women, razed Hindu temples, forced religious conversions and waged wars against Hindu and Sikh rulers.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
18 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Authoritarian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/authoritarian. Accessed 13 May. 2025.
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