authoritarian
Also found in: Thesaurus, Medical, Legal, Financial, Encyclopedia.
au·thor·i·tar·i·an
(ə-thôr′ĭ-târ′ē-ən, ə-thŏr′-, ô-)adj.
1. Characterized by or favoring absolute obedience to authority, as against individual freedom: an authoritarian regime.
2. Tending to tell other people what to do in a peremptory or arrogant manner. See Synonyms at dictatorial.
au·thor′i·tar′i·an n.
au·thor′i·tar′i·an·ism n.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
authoritarian
(ɔːˌθɒrɪˈtɛərɪən)adj
1. favouring, denoting, or characterized by strict obedience to authority
2. (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) favouring, denoting, or relating to government by a small elite with wide powers
3. despotic; dictatorial; domineering
n
(Government, Politics & Diplomacy) a person who favours or practises authoritarian policies
auˌthoriˈtarianism n
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
au•thor•i•tar•i•an
(əˌθɔr ɪˈtɛər i ən, əˌθɒr-)adj.
1. of, favoring, or requiring complete obedience to authority: an authoritarian military code.
2. pertaining to or being a government in which authority is centered in one person or in a small group not constitutionally accountable to the people.
3. exercising control over the will of others: an authoritarian parent.
n. 4. a person who favors or acts according to authoritarian principles.
[1875–80]
au•thor`i•tar′i•an•ism, n.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
| Noun | 1. |  authoritarian - a person who behaves in a tyrannical manner; "my boss is a dictator who makes everyone work overtime"Big Brother - an authoritarian leader and invader of privacy oppressor - a person of authority who subjects others to undue pressures |
| Adj. | 1. |  authoritarian - characteristic of an absolute ruler or absolute rule; having absolute sovereignty; "an authoritarian regime"; "autocratic government"; "despotic rulers"; "a dictatorial rule that lasted for the duration of the war"; "a tyrannical government"undemocratic - not in agreement with or according to democratic doctrine or practice or ideals; "the union broke with its past undemocratic procedures" |
| 2. | authoritarian - expecting unquestioning obedience; "the timid child of authoritarian parents"; "insufferably overbearing behavior toward the waiter" domineering - tending to domineer |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
authoritarian
adjective
1. strict, severe, absolute, harsh, rigid, autocratic, dictatorial, dogmatic, imperious, domineering, unyielding, tyrannical, disciplinarian, despotic, doctrinaire There was a coup to restore authoritarian rule.
strict democratic, liberal, flexible, tolerant, indulgent, lenient, permissive, broad-minded
strict democratic, liberal, flexible, tolerant, indulgent, lenient, permissive, broad-minded
noun
1. disciplinarian, dictator, tyrant, Big Brother, control freak, despot, autocrat, absolutist He became an overly strict authoritarian.
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
authoritarian
adjective1. Characterized by or favoring absolute obedience to authority:
2. Tending to dictate:
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
TranslationsSelect a language:
Spanish / Español
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
authority
(oːˈθorəti) – plural auˈthorities – noun1. the power or right to do something. He gave me authority to act on his behalf.autoridad
2. a person who is an expert, or a book that can be referred to, on a particular subject. He is an authority on Roman history.autoridad
3. (usually in plural) the person or people who have power in an administration etc. The authorities would not allow public meetings.autoridades
4. a natural quality in a person which makes him able to control and influence people. a man of authority.autoridad
auˌthoriˈtarian adjective considering obedience to authority more important than personal freedom. an authoritarian government.autoritario
auˈthoritative (-tətiv) , ((American) -teitiv) adjective said or written by an expert or a person in authority. an authoritative opinion. autorizada
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.