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.
Her proclamation of optimism comes on the heels of her having been released in December from a brutal Belarusian prison for supporting an opposition candidate running against the country’s authoritarian leader. — Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 5 Aug. 2026 Reliable polling remains scarce under the country’s authoritarian system. — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 30 July 2026 And both men, despite misgivings among parts of their own populations about their corrupt and authoritarian tendencies, were largely welcomed in the West as reformers and promising economic partners. — Literary Hub, 30 July 2026 This is different than the private enrichment model of typical authoritarian regimes where wealth accumulates through corruption and consists of private assets, offshore accounts, companies and family fortunes. — Natasha Lindstaedt, Forbes.com, 29 July 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 7 Aug. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on authoritarian

Nglish: Translation of authoritarian for Spanish Speakers

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