authoritarian Definition
- 1favoring or enforcing strict obedience to authority, especially that of the government, at the expense of personal freedom
- 2showing a lack of concern for the wishes or opinions of others; dictatorial
Using authoritarian: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "authoritarian" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The country was ruled by an authoritarian regime.
Example
The teacher had an authoritarian approach to discipline.
Example
The boss was criticized for his authoritarian management style.
authoritarian Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for authoritarian
Antonyms for authoritarian
Phrases with authoritarian
a personality type characterized by excessive conformity, submissiveness to authority, and intolerance of ambiguity
Example
People with an authoritarian personality are more likely to support authoritarian leaders.
a government system in which power is concentrated in the hands of a single leader or a small group of leaders who are not constitutionally responsible to the people
Example
North Korea is an example of an authoritarian government.
the exercise of power and control by a government or leader without regard for democratic principles or the rule of law
Example
The country experienced a period of authoritarian rule before transitioning to democracy.
Origins of authoritarian
from authority + -ian
Summary: authoritarian in Brief
The term 'authoritarian' [uh-thawr-i-tair-ee-uhn] describes favoring or enforcing strict obedience to authority, often at the expense of personal freedom. It can also refer to a lack of concern for the wishes or opinions of others, exemplified by 'The boss was criticized for his authoritarian management style.' 'Authoritarian' extends into phrases like 'authoritarian government,' and 'authoritarian rule,' denoting a concentration of power in the hands of a single leader or a small group of leaders. Synonyms include 'dictatorial,' 'autocratic,' and 'tyrannical.'
