authoritarian

adjective

au·​thor·​i·​tar·​i·​an ȯ-ˌthȯr-ə-ˈter-ē-ən How to pronounce authoritarian (audio)
ə-, 
-ˌthär-
Synonyms of authoritarian
1
: of, relating to, or favoring blind submission to authority
had authoritarian parents
2
: of, relating to, or favoring a concentration of power in a leader or an elite not constitutionally responsible to the people
an authoritarian regime
authoritarian noun
authoritarianism
ȯ-ˌthȯr-ə-ˈter-ē-ə-ˌni-zəm How to pronounce authoritarian (audio)
ə-, 
-ˌthär-
noun

Synonyms of authoritarian

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Examples of authoritarian in a Sentence

grew up with an authoritarian older sister who thought she was queen of the world an authoritarian coach who runs football practice like it's boot camp
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Castro’s death could also spark the sort of power struggles among factions that usually follow the death of an authoritarian leader. — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2026 Venice’s 83rd edition is packed with films focused on right-wing media moguls and the crackdown on immigration, on the conflicts in Israel, Iran and Russia, on the abuses of capitalism and the rise of authoritarian power. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026 By eroding the feedback loop that every stable government—even the most authoritarian—needs to stay in power, the Putin regime is becoming less capable of understanding the real condition of Russia. — Andrei Soldatov, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2026 The opening credits of the film, featuring newsreel footage of military parades overlaid with glitchy effects and harsh techno music, appear to nod at some equating of the America of today with the authoritarian governments of the past. — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for authoritarian

Word History

Etymology

authority + -arian

First Known Use

1861, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of authoritarian was in 1861

Phrases Containing authoritarian

Rhymes for authoritarian

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Browse Nearby Words

authorisation
authoritarian
authoritarianism
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Cite this Entry

“Authoritarian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/authoritarian. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

authoritarian

adjective
au·​thor·​i·​tar·​i·​an ȯ-ˌthär-ə-ˈter-ē-ən How to pronounce authoritarian (audio)
ə-, 
-ˌthȯr-
1
: expecting strict obedience to one's authority
had authoritarian parents
2
: based on the principle that the leaders and not the people have the final authority
an authoritarian state
authoritarian noun
authoritarianism
-ē-ə-ˌniz-əm How to pronounce authoritarian (audio)
noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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