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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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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
Helen Regan, CNN Money, 9 Oct. 2025
Critics have countered that classical architecture has taken on a more authoritarian reputation over time.
—Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 9 Oct. 2025
Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2025
The rise of authoritarianism, xenophobia and nationalism is also fueling young people’s desire to act, as opportunities that were once available to their parents’ generations have nearly disappeared.
—Kara Fox, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 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
The Workers’ Party of Korea is the sole ruling party of North Korea, blending communism with the words, sayings and ideals of the Kim dynasty, who have imposed their authoritarian rule on the country for three generations.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 9 Oct. 2025
Critics have countered that classical architecture has taken on a more authoritarian reputation over time.
—Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 9 Oct. 2025
Noun
The documentary about the perils of authoritarianism from the author of iconic 1984 and Animal Farm premiered at Cannes.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2025
The rise of authoritarianism, xenophobia and nationalism is also fueling young people’s desire to act, as opportunities that were once available to their parents’ generations have nearly disappeared.
—Kara Fox, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for authoritarian
Recent Examples of Synonyms for authoritarian
Adjective
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The domineering yet magnetic actor made the leap from London to the big screen, his sexy mad scientist becoming synonymous with controversy itself.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
1 Oct. 2025
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But as Blitzer points out, the Magnificent 7's domineering influence does not mean the S&P 500 is broken.—
Alex Mayyasi,
NPR,
23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy.—
Rob Williams,
EverydayHealth.com,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Article 3 Section 5 of the Tennessee Constitution places strict limitations on the regular circumstances under which a governor can deploy guard troops.—
Vivian Jones,
Nashville Tennessean,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Jackson returns as Wes Bryant, a handsome, intelligent, but arrogant man who had just moved to Seattle and was revealed to be a new medical intern at Grey Sloan.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Jack Cutmore-Scott as Julius Beaufort, an arrogant new money banker at the center of New York society with an interest in Ellen.—
Joe Otterson,
Variety,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Never use bleach to clean the toilet tank as this harsh chemical can damage the tank's interior and lead to faster corrosion.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
11 Oct. 2025
-
Except, much like the prison scenes, Kiss of the Spider Woman‘s reality ends up being much harsher than the fantasy.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
While the prize can amplify a cause, experts caution that its impact is often limited in autocratic contexts.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
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The world itself is getting much more autocratic, in the same way that Israel is becoming more autocratic.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The end result of a tough negotiation that included a nearly two-week blackout of Disney channels on Charter in 2023 was a much closer working relationship between the two.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
11 Oct. 2025
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Just a week after giving birth, Menish took her six-hour Evidence exam from home in December 2023 — one of the toughest finals in the curriculum.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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After authoritative wins over the Lions and Commanders, the Packers certainly had the look of a Super Bowl contender.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
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Is the appearance of an authoritative dictionary at a precise moment in the history of a language a statement about its maturity?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Having a very rigid mindset is not helpful’ Banna confirms that Swift’s approach to eating in 2010 aligns with intuitive eating.—
Renée Onque,
CNBC,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Loewe In the Loewe show, new creative directors Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez displayed many versions of a rigid kitten-heel pump with a high vamp that made the style verge into bootie territory.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
8 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Authoritarian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/authoritarian. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.
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