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
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
Whether Trump's death quelled or accelerated authoritarian forces remains an open question.
—
Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 July 2025
All of these factors and their contribution to alienation can foster authoritarian beliefs and individualism.
—Nathan Meyers, The Conversation, 11 July 2025
This persistent sense of threat has been a grinding reality for Iran’s Jewry since 1979, when a revolution led to the establishment of an authoritarian Islamic Republic under Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.
—Roya Hakakian, The Atlantic, 10 July 2025
Renewables also weaken the economic grip of authoritarian regimes that depend on oil revenues to fund repression and military aggression.
—Thais Lopez Vogel, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for authoritarian
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Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 July 2025
All of these factors and their contribution to alienation can foster authoritarian beliefs and individualism.
—Nathan Meyers, The Conversation, 11 July 2025
This persistent sense of threat has been a grinding reality for Iran’s Jewry since 1979, when a revolution led to the establishment of an authoritarian Islamic Republic under Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.
—Roya Hakakian, The Atlantic, 10 July 2025
Renewables also weaken the economic grip of authoritarian regimes that depend on oil revenues to fund repression and military aggression.
—Thais Lopez Vogel, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for authoritarian
Cite this Entry
“Authoritarian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/authoritarian. Accessed 18 Jul. 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
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