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.
What readers are saying The comments express overwhelming disapproval and outrage over the idea of live-streaming a public execution, likening it to barbaric practices of authoritarian regimes and terrorist groups. — Aoife Walsh, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026 Trump’s preoccupation with authoritarian strongmen like Russia’s Vladimir Putin, China’s Xi Jinping, and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un is a slap in the face of a Cuban refugee trying to make a life for his family in Miami. — S.e. Cupp, New York Daily News, 8 Oct. 2026 The Fed's protective umbrella helps the dollar's appeal among global investors, who can't be fully confident that funds invested into authoritarian China can be safely taken out of the country. — Matt Peterson, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026 Soon after the photo was taken, pro-Chinese Communist Party activists there began assaulting protesters of Xi's authoritarian regime — though there is no evidence Zhang was involved in any attacks. — Adam Yamaguchi, CBS News, 6 Oct. 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
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Authoritarian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/authoritarian. Accessed 14 Oct. 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
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