AUTHORITARIAN Synonyms: 214 Similar and Opposite Words

authoritarian 1 of 2

adjective

ȯ-ˌthȯr-ə-ˈter-ē-ən

Definition of authoritarian

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

authoritarian

2 of 2

noun

as in disciplinarian

Related Words

as in dictator

Related Words

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of authoritarian

Adjective

But opponents commonly connect it to communism, an authoritarian system associated with brutal regimes such as the Soviet Union and Cuba that believes the working class should take control through violent revolution. — Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026 The story centers on an authoritarian father and his two sons on vacation following a difficult separation and explores themes of power, masculinity and patriarchy. — Ed Meza, Variety, 9 Aug. 2026

Noun

Khomeini was a leader of opposition to the shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, an authoritarian who wanted to modernize the country. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 10 Mar. 2026 Khamenei, 87, who had been in power for more than three decades, was viewed by critics as a repressive authoritarian responsible for the mass murder of thousands of protesters and other human rights abuses. — Julian Roberts-Grmela, New York Daily News, 2 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for authoritarian

Recent Examples of Synonyms for authoritarian

Adjective

Will stars in the film as Phil Weston, an unremarkable family man who grew up under the thumb of his domineering dad, Buck (Robert Duvall).

— Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Aug. 2026
That’s a little too farcical for the moment, and the final cut lands more in a place of domineering intrigue.

— Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 13 July 2026

Definition of domineering

Adjective

Under this administration, those rules and the ramifications for breaking them have gotten even stricter.

— Kat Lonsdorf, NPR, 24 Aug. 2026
These former champions of AI data center investment in their states are now placing stricter standards on construction projects and requiring additional disclosures to root out more speculative activity.

— Jeff Marks, CNBC, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of strict

Noun

During his time with the Yankees, Mendoza was known as a disciplinarian behind the scenes, but the team loved and respected his hard coaching.

— Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 26 June 2026
You are asked to be teachers, counselors, social workers, disciplinarians, mentors, advocates, crisis managers and emotional anchors for children navigating an increasingly complicated world.

— Susana A. Mendoza, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2026

Definition of disciplinarian

Noun

Trump plans to revive talks over North Korea’s nuclear program and wants to meet with the pariah state’s dictator this year, The Wall Street Journal reported.

— Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Israel has carried out raids and strikes on Syrian territory since al-Assad, Syria's longtime dictator, was ousted in December 2024.

— Frank Andrews, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of dictator

Adjective

As such, there is a tendency among such countries to view Europeans as arrogant and self-serving, perhaps even neo-colonialist, with a desire to at least maintain, or maybe even strengthen, their position of power.

— Simon Chadwick, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
James, Lord Dalhousie, the arrogant and ruthless Governor General of British India, who had long coveted the riches of Punjab and the Koh-i-Noor, was triumphant.

— Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of arrogant

Noun

His chief antagonist is his caustic first wife, Queen Marguerite (Joy DeMichelle), who operates as a kind of a martinet death doula.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
There’s Cece’s father, long vanished; Ronnie, a predator; Marcel, a martinet; Joel, a manipulator; and a random catcaller in the street, whom Cece sends scurrying away by turning her acting skills to practical use.

— Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 12 June 2024

Definition of martinet

Noun

Netanyahu brands Erdogan an ‘antisemitic tyrant’ Netanyahu and Katz have pushed back on the political motivation narrative, warning instead of an impending Turkish footprint in Syria.

— Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
Some tin-pot tyrant decides their country really owns part of another and invades.

— Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of tyrant

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Style

“Authoritarian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/authoritarian. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of authoritarian

adjective

noun

Example Sentences

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