1
as in domineering
fond of ordering people around
grew up with an authoritarian older sister who thought she was queen of the world
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in strict
given to exacting standards of discipline and self-restraint
an authoritarian coach who runs football practice like it's boot camp
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in disciplinarian
Related Words
2
as in dictator
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of authoritarian
Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2025
So for me, the cyclops becomes both a metaphor for that authoritarian force and, at the same time, a figure of vulnerability.
—Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
Democratic lawmakers have, in turn, compared his political style to authoritarian regimes.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 4 July 2025
Defending institutions of higher education from increasingly authoritarian measures is an important way to safeguard not only academic freedom, but the legacy of 1776 as well.
—Time, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for authoritarian
Noun
That may help explain his drastic authoritarian move.
—Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2025
So for me, the cyclops becomes both a metaphor for that authoritarian force and, at the same time, a figure of vulnerability.
—Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
Democratic lawmakers have, in turn, compared his political style to authoritarian regimes.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 4 July 2025
Defending institutions of higher education from increasingly authoritarian measures is an important way to safeguard not only academic freedom, but the legacy of 1776 as well.
—Time, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for authoritarian
Recent Examples of Synonyms for authoritarian
Adjective
-
Louise Fletcher portrays the domineering head nurse Ratched.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
6 July 2025
-
But Agnes can’t stop barking orders, leaving the household staff at a loss over who to listen to — their domineering former boss or the woman signing their paychecks.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
23 June 2025
Adjective
-
That’s not the strict definition of doxxing because the post did not give Butker’s address.—
Mike Hendricks,
Kansas City Star,
11 July 2025
-
President Donald Trump's administration has announced strict new visa restrictions for Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Nigeria.—
Theo Burman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 July 2025
Noun
-
By several accounts, Xi was a ferocious disciplinarian.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
-
He was variously depicted as both a strict disciplinarian and also an emotionally intelligent father figure to the players.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
1 June 2025
Noun
-
Talks between Israel and Syria are ongoing, which would have been unthinkable during the reign of former dictator Bashar al-Assad, whose partnership with Iran and insistence that Israel hand over the Golan Heights to Damascus in exchange for normalization nipped any détente in the bud.—
Daniel R. DePetris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 July 2025
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The uniform marks him as a firefighter from the old regime of dictator Bashar al-Assad, who was ousted in December 2024 after a nearly 14-year civil war.—
Lauren Frayer,
NPR,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
As the day goes on, Jim goes from a caricature of an arrogant male director to an oddly compelling picture of a pathetic man, moved by spite toward his ex-wife, Anita.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
10 July 2025
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Actor Tyler Hilton played Chris Keller, a charming but arrogant musician, on four seasons of the teen soap.—
Bryan West,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
Adjective
-
The mask fully blocks out the harsh cabin lighting and that inevitable sunrise glow before landing.—
Samantha Leal,
Travel + Leisure,
10 July 2025
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Before Getting Started When cleaning your oven, try to avoid using harsh oven cleaners or using the self-cleaning feature.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
But Muir’s co-moderator, Linsey Davis, was a different case: Davis wore a mannish, gray suit jacket and struck a pose of martinet — almost schoolmarmish — solemnity.—
Armond White,
National Review,
20 Sep. 2024
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There’s Cece’s father, long vanished; Ronnie, a predator; Marcel, a martinet; Joel, a manipulator; and a random catcaller in the street, whom Cece sends scurrying away by turning her acting skills to practical use.—
Richard Brody,
The New Yorker,
12 June 2024
Noun
-
The message would then be clear: The Russian tyrant won’t break Ukraine.—
Steve Forbes,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
-
King George is a tyrant who is unfit to lead people.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
4 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Authoritarian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/authoritarian. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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