authoritarian

[uh-thawr-i-tair-ee-uhn, uh-thor-]

adjective

1. favoring complete obedience or subjection to authority as opposed to individual freedom.

   authoritarian principles; authoritarian attitudes.

2. of or relating to a governmental or political system, principle, or practice in which individual freedom is held as completely subordinate to the power or authority of the state, centered either in one person or a small group that is not constitutionally accountable to the people.

3. exercising complete or almost complete control over the will of another or of others.

   an authoritarian parent.

noun

1. a person who favors or acts according to authoritarian principles.

authoritarian

/ ɔːˌθɒrɪˈtɛərɪən /

adjective

1. favouring, denoting, or characterized by strict obedience to authority

2. favouring, denoting, or relating to government by a small elite with wide powers

3. despotic; dictatorial; domineering

noun

1. a person who favours or practises authoritarian policies

Other Word Forms

• authoritarianism noun
• antiauthoritarian adjective
• antiauthoritarianism noun
• nonauthoritarian adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of authoritarian¹

First recorded in 1875–80; authorit(y) + -arian

Example Sentences

Protests in Indonesia sparked by economic hardship have elicited a heavy-handed response from police, triggering concerns that the Southeast Asian nation could be returning to its authoritarian past.

From Los Angeles Times

Research has shown that when a person’s fear of death is activated, they tend to crave safety and security from authoritarian leaders.

From Salon

Breyer…took the unusual step of criticizing a ruling of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, to which he nominally reports, for its dangerous acquiescence in the president’s authoritarian agenda.

From Salon

Citing the cases of writer Graham Linehan and a woman who was jailed over a racist tweet, Farage spoke about what he called "the really awful authoritarian situation that the UK has sunk into".

From BBC

They may back his authoritarian agenda, but surely would welcome the chance to never speak to or smell the man again.

From Salon

Related Words

• autocratic 
• dictatorial 
• imperious 
• rigid 
• strict 
• totalitarian 
• tyrannical