authoritarian
[ uh-thawr-i-tair-ee-uh n, uh-thor- ]
/ əˌθɔr ɪˈtɛər i ən, əˌθɒr- /
adjective
favoring complete obedience or subjection to authority as opposed to individual freedom: authoritarian principles; authoritarian attitudes.
of or relating to a governmental or political system, principle, or practice in which individual freedom is held as completely subordinate to the power or authority of the state, centered either in one person or a small group that is not constitutionally accountable to the people.
exercising complete or almost complete control over the will of another or of others: an authoritarian parent.
noun
a person who favors or acts according to authoritarian principles.
Origin of authoritarian
First recorded in 1875–80;
authorit(y) +
-arian
OTHER WORDS FROM authoritarian
au·thor·i·tar·i·an·ism, noun an·ti·au·thor·i·tar·i·an, adjective an·ti·au·thor·i·tar·i·an·ism, noun non·au·thor·i·tar·i·an, adjectiveWords nearby authoritarian
Example sentences from the Web for authoritarian
British Dictionary definitions for authoritarian
authoritarian
/ (ɔːˌθɒrɪˈtɛərɪən) /
adjective
favouring, denoting, or characterized by strict obedience to authority
favouring, denoting, or relating to government by a small elite with wide powers
despotic; dictatorial; domineering
noun
a person who favours or practises authoritarian policies