authoritarian

English

Etymology

Circa 1880 authority + -arian

Pronunciation

  • enPR: ô-thŏr'ĭ-târ'ē-ən
  • (file)

Adjective

authoritarian (comparative more authoritarian, superlative most authoritarian)

  1. Of, or relating to, absolute obedience to an authority.
  2. Characterised by a tyrannical obedience to an authority; dictatorial.
    The authoritarian government was demanding stricter laws for low-wage peasants.
  3. Tending to impose one's demands upon others as if one were an authority.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Derived terms

Translations

Noun

authoritarian (plural authoritarians)

  1. One who commands absolute obedience to his or her authority.
    The dictator was an authoritarian.
  2. One who follows and is excessively obedient to authority.
    • 2006, Robert Altemeyer, The Authoritarians

Translations

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