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
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of authoritarian
Anthony W. Pereira, The Conversation, 27 Mar. 2026
James Tolkan, best known for his authoritarian roles in the Back to the Future franchise and Top Gun, died on Thursday.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 27 Mar. 2026
Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2026
Maduro, an authoritarian, has led Venezuela since 2013, succeeding an ideological ally, Hugo Chávez, who had been in office since 1999.
—Dallas Morning News, 3 Jan. 2026
Literary Hub, 18 Mar. 2026
Such a nakedly partisan message would not work in Boca, where the Republican base cares less about Trumpian authoritarianism and more about high quality of life and low taxes.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for authoritarian
Adjective
But the policy goes beyond that to support authoritarian national-populist movements around the world.
—Anthony W. Pereira, The Conversation, 27 Mar. 2026
James Tolkan, best known for his authoritarian roles in the Back to the Future franchise and Top Gun, died on Thursday.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
Caleb is resistant, but Nahla is not your traditional authoritarian either.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2026
Maduro, an authoritarian, has led Venezuela since 2013, succeeding an ideological ally, Hugo Chávez, who had been in office since 1999.
—Dallas Morning News, 3 Jan. 2026
Noun
When seen like that, as a sequence of facts, the logic of authoritarianism becomes clear.
—Literary Hub, 18 Mar. 2026
Such a nakedly partisan message would not work in Boca, where the Republican base cares less about Trumpian authoritarianism and more about high quality of life and low taxes.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for authoritarian
Recent Examples of Synonyms for authoritarian
Adjective
-
Netflix’s domineering presence, one that permeated every corner of a typically sacred day at the ballpark, had mercifully evaporated.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Wrapping production last October, Carrie is described as a reimagining of the story of misfit high schooler Carrie White, who has spent her life in seclusion with her domineering mother.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
In response, rental companies are implementing stricter cleaning standards, higher security deposits, and more surveillance.—
Christopher Elliott,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Still, the driver's age is raising broader policy questions, as some residents are calling for stricter testing requirements for older drivers, including more frequent vision and driving evaluations.—
Kenny Choi,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The rabbi is ornery, arrogant, sometimes cruel.—
Daniel Felsenthal,
Vulture,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Those leaders who ignore or flout the law aren’t merely unethical but fatally arrogant, putting their childish willfulness over the wisdom of generations.—
David Brooks,
The Atlantic,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Unkind words and thoughts from your harshest critic (yourself) are all too common, especially for women, and their effects can diminish mood, confidence and self-esteem while positive ones can have the opposite impact.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Those forces may give the president more leverage in his negotiations, but also risk fueling Tehran's resentment and provoking a harsher response, analysts say.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
This means that filmmakers out of favor with autocratic regimes—including, in Iran, some of the nation’s greatest artists—don’t stand a chance, and some of the most notable recent Iranian films have been submitted by other countries.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Tens of thousands protested in Prague against populist Andrej Babiš’ new government, comparing it to increasingly autocratic Hungary and Slovakia.—
Karel Janicek,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The real minutes, tough minutes on the road, stressful.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
26 Mar. 2026
-
After those seven players, things get a little tough to project.—
Mike Kaye
March 26,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Francis ordered the Argentine criteria published as an official act of the Vatican and wrote a letter to the bishops declaring their interpretation authoritative.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Mar. 2026
-
With an authoritative and rich baritone voice, Orion Samuelson delivered critical information for farmers across the Midwest during a 60-year career as WGN-AM radio’s agribusiness reporter.—
Bob Goldsborough,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Pitches that just barely graze the rigid outer edge of the strike zone prompted questions about how infinitesimally accurate the HawkEye technology that underpins ABS can be.—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The film’s surplus of action and chase scenes follows the same rigid formula of swooping camera movements and game power-up deus ex machinas that no sequence ever proves particularly exciting.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Authoritarian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/authoritarian. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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