Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Pertaining to or characteristic of absolutism: Relating to a political system or philosophy where a single ruler or authority holds absolute, unrestricted power, often without constitutional limits or checks from other branches of government.
   • Supporting or advocating for absolute principles: In a broader philosophical or moral sense, relating to the belief in absolute, unchanging standards or truths, often without consideration for context or differing perspectives.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The king's absolutistic rule left no room for political dissent. (The king's system of government, characterized by absolute power, did not allow for any opposition.)
  • Her absolutistic views on morality made compromise difficult. (Her belief in fixed, unchangeable moral principles made finding a middle ground challenging.)

Advanced Usage

• "absolutistic tendencies": A phrase describing actions or policies that show a movement toward centralized, unchecked authority.
  • The new laws revealed the government's absolutistic tendencies.
• "absolutistic ideology": Refers to a system of ideas that justifies or demands complete obedience to a single authority or set of doctrines.
  • The regime was founded on an absolutistic ideology.

Variants and Related Words

• Absolutism (n): The principle or practice of absolute, unrestricted power in government.
  • The history textbook covered the period of royal absolutism in Europe.
• Absolutist (n/adj): (As a noun) A person who supports absolutism. (As an adjective) Having the qualities of absolutism.
  • He was a staunch absolutist who believed in the divine right of kings. (noun)
  • The absolutist regime suppressed all opposition. (adjective)

Synonyms

• Autocratic: Ruling with absolute authority; characteristic of an autocrat.
• Authoritarian: Favoring or enforcing strict obedience to authority at the expense of personal freedom.
• Dictatorial: Of or typical of a ruler with total power; tyrannical.
• Totalitarian (Note: While closely related, "totalitarian" often implies state control over all aspects of public and private life, which is a specific, extreme form of absolutistic control.)

Antonyms

• Democratic: Relating to or supporting democracy, where power is held by the people.
• Constitutional: Limited by or operating under a constitution that defines and restricts powers.
• Liberal: Favoring individual liberty, free trade, and moderate political reforms.

Related Phrases

• "absolutistic control": Complete and unchallengeable domination.
  • The general exercised absolutistic control over the province.
• "absolutistic monarchy": A monarchy where the monarch holds supreme autocratic authority.
  • France before the Revolution was an absolutistic monarchy.

Adjective

1. pertaining to the principle of totalitarianism