authoritarian
adjective
au·thor·i·tar·i·an
ȯ-ˌthȯr-ə-ˈter-ē-ən 
ə-,
-ˌthär-
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
Synonyms
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
Over the past decade, during which the authoritarian Law and Justice party has ruled in Poland, the Centre has served as a staunch defender of independent research.
—
Natalia Romik / Madę By History, TIME, 27 Jan. 2025
In this paradigm, the ideal worker is less like a corporate ally or a trusted collaborator and more like a subject of an authoritarian regime.
—Anna Wiener, The New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2025
Yoon attempted to impose martial law in early December, a move that plunged the country into political turmoil and for many brought back painful memories of the country’s authoritarian past.
—Yoonjung Seo, CNN, 26 Jan. 2025
To varying degrees, some, though not all, have also sought to weaken or undermine existing institutions, such as courts or an independent media, in what critics have called efforts to erode democracy and maintain authoritarian grips on power.
—Jim Tankersley, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for authoritarian 
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.
Natalia Romik / Madę By History, TIME, 27 Jan. 2025
In this paradigm, the ideal worker is less like a corporate ally or a trusted collaborator and more like a subject of an authoritarian regime.
—Anna Wiener, The New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2025
Yoon attempted to impose martial law in early December, a move that plunged the country into political turmoil and for many brought back painful memories of the country’s authoritarian past.
—Yoonjung Seo, CNN, 26 Jan. 2025
To varying degrees, some, though not all, have also sought to weaken or undermine existing institutions, such as courts or an independent media, in what critics have called efforts to erode democracy and maintain authoritarian grips on power.
—Jim Tankersley, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for authoritarian
Dictionary Entries Near authoritarian
Cite this Entry
“Authoritarian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/authoritarian. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
authoritarian
adjective
au·thor·i·tar·i·an
ȯ-ˌthär-ə-ˈter-ē-ən
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share