1
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
1
as in disciplinarian
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in dictator
Synonyms & Similar 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
David Axe, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
Known for his admiration of authoritarian strongmen, a one-on-one summit with Putin would play into Trump’s image of world leadership.
—Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2025
The government, led since 1994 by the authoritarian ruler Aleksandr Lukashenko, has cracked down on opposition to the plant, trying to silence those who point to technical problems and raise concerns about the plant's safety.
—Franziska Exeler, The Dial, 18 Feb. 2025
Trump has not made similar criticisms of Putin or of Russia's authoritarian political system.
—Barak Ravid, Axios, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for authoritarian
Adjective
And as the United States veered away from longstanding alliances with European democracies and toward a brutal authoritarian regime, U.S. Pres.
—David Axe, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
Known for his admiration of authoritarian strongmen, a one-on-one summit with Putin would play into Trump’s image of world leadership.
—Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2025
The government, led since 1994 by the authoritarian ruler Aleksandr Lukashenko, has cracked down on opposition to the plant, trying to silence those who point to technical problems and raise concerns about the plant's safety.
—Franziska Exeler, The Dial, 18 Feb. 2025
Trump has not made similar criticisms of Putin or of Russia's authoritarian political system.
—Barak Ravid, Axios, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for authoritarian
Recent Examples of Synonyms for authoritarian
Adjective
-
Here's Your Zodiac Love Compatibility, Based on Your Sign Sagittarius: Rachel Chu from Crazy Rich Asians To maintain her relationship, Rachel takes on a fight with her boyfriend’s domineering mother Eleanor.—
Lisa Stardust,
People.com,
13 Feb. 2025
-
He’s had something of a habit of playing domineering fathers, doing so on Ugly Betty (2006–2007) and as Charles Widmore on Lost (2006–2010).—
Sezin Devi Koehler,
EW.com,
8 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Four years on—late in 2024 but well in advance of the Type 00’s public debut in Miami—Robb Report was invited to Gaydon to see the result under conditions of the strictest secrecy.—
Ben Oliver,
Robb Report,
1 Mar. 2025
-
While seafood imports must meet strict federal safety regulations, this catfish recall underscores the challenges of monitoring international food supply chains.—
Stephanie Gravalese,
Forbes,
1 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
After three years with John Fox, Pace didn’t need to fully reset the culture inside Halas Hall and bring in an experienced disciplinarian because Fox had helped clean up the mess left behind by the Phil Emery/Marc Trestman administration.—
Adam Jahns,
The Athletic,
5 Jan. 2025
-
There are no old-school disciplinarians in the NFL any longer, but Campbell’s success is based on toughness, winning the one-on-one battles and gambling that his team will be successful on fourth-down plays.—
Steve Silverman,
Forbes,
31 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
In October of 2023, Hamas militants attacked Israel and in an unforeseen chain of events Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad was overthrown.—
Kevin Kruse,
Forbes,
3 Mar. 2025
-
Apparently, for Trump, Ukraine's continuing resistance to invasion constitutes something of a nuisance that threatens to get in the way of making deals with a brutal dictator.—
Bradley Gitz,
arkansasonline.com,
3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
According to Packer, several surefire ways to ensure success start here: Be arrogant!—
Dominique Fluker,
Essence,
17 Feb. 2025
-
In 1254, King Edward I and Queen Eleanor of Castile were married at a very young age, and although Edward had a reputation for being arrogant and quarrelsome, the pair eventually fell deeply in love.—
Gulnaz Khan,
AFAR Media,
13 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Unlike Western cleansers, which often rely on harsh surfactants or astringent ingredients, Korean ones maintain the skin’s moisture barrier and natural pH balance, says Cho.—
Denise Primbet,
Glamour,
28 Feb. 2025
-
The 79-year-old Oscar winner embraces the challenging role of the Dutton family matriarch alongside co-star Harrison Ford, confronting everything from mountain lions to the harsh realities of frontier life.—
Holly Williams,
CBS News,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
But Muir’s co-moderator, Linsey Davis, was a different case: Davis wore a mannish, gray suit jacket and struck a pose of martinet — almost schoolmarmish — solemnity.—
Armond White,
National Review,
20 Sep. 2024
-
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
Noun
-
John Lithgow plays an elderly care home tyrant out to drive an arrogant and partially paralyzed judge, played by Geoffrey Rush, insane in the official trailer for The Rule of Jenny Pen, which dropped Monday.—
Etan Vlessing,
The Hollywood Reporter,
24 Feb. 2025
-
The Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth of tyrants, back-to-back.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes,
23 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Authoritarian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/authoritarian. Accessed 7 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share