authoritarian 1 of 2

adjective

ȯ-ˌthȯr-ə-ˈter-ē-ən How to pronounce authoritarian (audio)
Definition of authoritariannext
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

authoritarian

2 of 2

noun

1
as in disciplinarian

Related Words
2
as in dictator

Related Words

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 authoritarian
Adjective
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 Laos is an authoritarian one-party communist state that tightly controls information. — ABC News, 17 July 2026
Noun
Khamenei, 87, who had been in power for more than three decades, was viewed by critics as a repressive authoritarian responsible for the mass murder of thousands of protesters and other human rights abuses. — Julian Roberts-Grmela, New York Daily News, 2 Mar. 2026 Maduro — a left-wing authoritarian who ruled Venezuela for more than a decade while ignoring election results — was not just another foreign dictator. — Dustin Olson, Boston Herald, 25 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for authoritarian
Recent Examples of Synonyms for authoritarian
  1. domineering
  2. strict
  3. disciplinarian
  4. dictator
  5. arrogant
  6. harsh
  7. martinet
  8. tyrant
Adjective
  • That’s a little too farcical for the moment, and the final cut lands more in a place of domineering intrigue.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 13 July 2026
  • His domineering physical appearance coupled with his goofy online persona have contributed to the craze.
    — Kaitlyn Huamani, Fortune, 13 July 2026
Definition of domineering
Adjective
  • But while the county has strict guidelines about cashless businesses, there are exceptions.
    — Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 28 July 2026
  • With the school’s strict dress code, Prince George will likely be seen more often in the suited style featured in his parents’ birthday post.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 27 July 2026
Definition of strict
Noun
  • During his time with the Yankees, Mendoza was known as a disciplinarian behind the scenes, but the team loved and respected his hard coaching.
    — Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 26 June 2026
  • You are asked to be teachers, counselors, social workers, disciplinarians, mentors, advocates, crisis managers and emotional anchors for children navigating an increasingly complicated world.
    — Susana A. Mendoza, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2026
Definition of disciplinarian
Noun
  • Their former leaders have been removed, and they’re now being run by a gay dictator facing internal divisions.
    — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
  • The deposed dictator smiled, greeted court personnel, and shook hands with lawyers after entering the courtroom, according to the Associated Press.
    — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 22 July 2026
Definition of dictator
Adjective
  • Odysseus is a complex character known for being brilliant and crafty, but also being somewhat of an arrogant trickster.
    — Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026
  • Under normal conditions, someone who’s bossy or pushy can come across as arrogant and annoying.
    — Matthew Pittman, The Conversation, 17 July 2026
Definition of arrogant
Adjective
  • But some have pushed back on the idea that the threat of harsh legal punishment could prevent the gatherings in the first place.
    — Safiyah Riddle, Fortune, 25 July 2026
  • Even if it's erased later, everyone now knows it can be drawn again, along the same criteria or something harsher, and that no one outside Washington controls where that line lands next.
    — Ashish Bhatia, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026
Definition of harsh
Noun
  • His chief antagonist is his caustic first wife, Queen Marguerite (Joy DeMichelle), who operates as a kind of a martinet death doula.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
  • 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
Definition of martinet
Noun
  • In his fullest public argument yet about his thinking, Thiel and co-author Sam Wolfe write the figure of ultimate evil is best understood not as a monster or a tyrant but as a technocrat.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 18 July 2026
  • Because, after all, as in all of Haber’s novels, the point is not really what is happening in the world but what is happening in the mind—in this case the mind of the pettiest of tyrants.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 July 2026
Definition of tyrant

Browse Nearby Words

authoring
authoritarian
authoritarianism
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Authoritarian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/authoritarian. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on authoritarian

Nglish: Translation of authoritarian for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of spindrift

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All