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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in dictator
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of authoritarian
Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2025
However, the movie’s rights remained trapped in Russia for the better part of a year, thwarting the director’s efforts to bring his film — a stinging critique of authoritarian rule — to foreign audiences.
—Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 21 Mar. 2025
The result of such a dramatic step is an even deeper slide toward authoritarian rule in Turkey, where an entire generation knows no other leader than Mr. Erdoğan – yet where his lock on politics is increasingly rejected by voters.
—Scott Peterson, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 Mar. 2025
In this way, democratic parenting is markedly different from both permissive parenting and authoritarian parenting.
—Miranda Rake, Parents, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for authoritarian
Adjective
Especially when Cadfael’s worldly wisdom and endless curiosity puts him at odds with his stricter brethren, including the authoritarian Prior Robert (Michael Culver) and his deliciously weasely henchman Brother Jerome (Julian Firth).
—Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2025
However, the movie’s rights remained trapped in Russia for the better part of a year, thwarting the director’s efforts to bring his film — a stinging critique of authoritarian rule — to foreign audiences.
—Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 21 Mar. 2025
The result of such a dramatic step is an even deeper slide toward authoritarian rule in Turkey, where an entire generation knows no other leader than Mr. Erdoğan – yet where his lock on politics is increasingly rejected by voters.
—Scott Peterson, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 Mar. 2025
In this way, democratic parenting is markedly different from both permissive parenting and authoritarian parenting.
—Miranda Rake, Parents, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for authoritarian
Recent Examples of Synonyms for authoritarian
Adjective
-
Carrie is described as a reimagining of the story of misfit high-schooler Carrie White, who has spent her life in seclusion with her domineering mother.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
10 Apr. 2025
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Perhaps most frustrating to Mainers: the domineering influence of Boston in the state’s government.—
Made by History,
Time,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Some venues, such as London's fabric, encourage a phone-free environment through guidance rather than strict enforcement.—
John W. Dean,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Apr. 2025
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First, monitor how Asian hubs respond to the surprising success of Singapore’s stricter regime - will Hong Kong double down on flexibility or pivot toward stability?—
Francois Botha,
Forbes.com,
6 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Both were industrious strivers at work and strict disciplinarians at home.—
Danielle Amir Jackson,
The Atlantic,
27 Feb. 2025
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After three years with John Fox, Pace didn’t need to fully reset the culture inside Halas Hall and bring in an experienced disciplinarian because Fox had helped clean up the mess left behind by the Phil Emery/Marc Trestman administration.—
Adam Jahns,
The Athletic,
5 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Correa is accused of participating in beatings, electrocutions and other forms of abuses while allegedly acting as part of a death squad operating under former Gambian dictator Yahya Jammeh.—
Gordon G. Chang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Apr. 2025
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The trouble with international prosecutions The ICC has a long list of outstanding arrest warrants, including for former dictator Omar al-Bashir, who ruled Sudan for three decades before being deposed in 2019.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Ava Daniels is a young comedy writer who is unable to find work due to an insensitive tweet and her reputation for being self-centered and arrogant.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
-
And the villains, of course, exuding every nastily relatable emotion; the stepmothers and sorceresses are vain, arrogant, dismissive, lonely, rude, and outrageous.—
Darren Franich,
Vulture,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Donald Trump defended his harsh new tariffs on Saturday Night Live this week — and maybe took a swipe at last week’s musical guest, too.—
Dave Nemetz,
TVLine,
5 Apr. 2025
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Never one for details, Trump is now clearly linking the harsh 54% tariffs imposed on China on Tuesday to a TikTok deal.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
4 Apr. 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
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Hope: Ultimately, the protests suggest the possibility that, eventually, an overwhelming majority of Palestinians will never again allow themselves to be ruled by revanchist tyrants of any shade.—
Bret Stephens,
Mercury News,
4 Apr. 2025
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Synopsis: Before kings and empires feared him, a tyrant sought to erase him.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
2 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Authoritarian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/authoritarian. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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