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
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in disciplinarian
Related Words
2
as in dictator
Related Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of authoritarian
Robert Birsel
shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
Trump isn't responsible for such long-term trends as Beijing's determination to rival the United States in global influence, or Putin's evolution to an entrenched authoritarian with expansionist ambitions.
—Susan Page, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Simmone Shah, Time, 16 Sep. 2025
Brynjolfsson and Makanju shared concerns about authoritarian governments using these tools inappropriately.
—John Werner, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Aug. 2025
The factors that in hindsight might explain the country’s abrupt upheaval—its swift economic growth followed by a downturn, its rapid urbanization, its authoritarianism, its corruption—were fairly normal.
—Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for authoritarian
Adjective
That is why censorship is the authoritarian's dream.
—Robert Birsel
shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
Trump isn't responsible for such long-term trends as Beijing's determination to rival the United States in global influence, or Putin's evolution to an entrenched authoritarian with expansionist ambitions.
—Susan Page, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
Researchers say an increase in killings often comes with major political changes—Colombia and the Philippines both saw upticks in attacks against defenders following the elections of authoritarian presidents Ivan Duque and Rodrigo Duterte in 2018 and 2016.
—Simmone Shah, Time, 16 Sep. 2025
Brynjolfsson and Makanju shared concerns about authoritarian governments using these tools inappropriately.
—John Werner, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
Was this announcement a sign of creeping authoritarianism?
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Aug. 2025
The factors that in hindsight might explain the country’s abrupt upheaval—its swift economic growth followed by a downturn, its rapid urbanization, its authoritarianism, its corruption—were fairly normal.
—Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for authoritarian
Recent Examples of Synonyms for authoritarian
Adjective
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Managers often grow more assertive (sometimes drifting into domineering).—
Dave Winsborough,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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Also in the cast: Emmy winner Laurie Metcalfe, as Augusta Gein, the murderer's religious, domineering mother; Tom Hollander as director Alfred Hitchcock; Olivia Williams as the filmmaker's wife, Alma Reville Hitchcock; and Lesley Manville, as Gein's second murder victim, Bernice Worden.—
Chris Foran,
jsonline.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Sulfide electrolytes fall apart when exposed to humidity, demanding strict atmospheric controls during manufacturing.—
Tejasri Gururaj,
Interesting Engineering,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Another 22% want innovation with strict risk controls.—
Lawrence Wintermeyer,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Zane played the arrogant Cal Hockley, who was engaged to Jack's love interest, Rose (played by Kate Winslet).—
Virginia Chamlee,
People.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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Hardly seems like enough to cow these arrogant companies into behaving, especially when their business model is so intrinsically tied to hoovering up other people’s information and creative work.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
These findings highlight an urgent need to shield stem cells from the harsh realities of space.—
Pranjal Malewar,
New Atlas,
20 Sep. 2025
-
Rain is coming, penciled in for an hour or two from now, and a harsh British wind is flinging leaves off branches and cloaking the countryside with something that smells dungy and damp.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
20 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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To One Piece fans, the flag symbolizes Luffy’s quest to chase his dreams, liberate oppressed people, and fight the autocratic World Government.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
20 Sep. 2025
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In fact, the choice Koreans faced at the end of 1948, between a one-party communist state and an autocratic liberalism, was between two options that had very little support at the beginning of the occupation.—
Kornel Chang
September 19,
Literary Hub,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The Red Rocketeers were looking to bounce back after a tough loss against King Phillip, but the opponent was strong.—
Zachary McMahon,
Boston Herald,
20 Sep. 2025
-
Lee described the rookies as tough competitors who displayed a championship mentality during their run to the summer league championship.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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These risks multiply when multiple agents collaborate, each trusting outputs from others as authoritative inputs.—
Steve Durbin,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
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In June, more than 20 authoritative organizations, including the National Medical Association and American Academy of Pediatrics, expressed serious concerns for the health impacts of overhauling the advisory committee.—
Jordan Miller,
The Conversation,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Kong said this soft approach helps address risks such as ulcers, puncture injuries, and inflammation, which are often linked to rigid devices inside the body.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Brits still point to the overrepresentation of French names in high-status professions as evidence of a rigid and enduring class system.—
Will Collins,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Authoritarian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/authoritarian. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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