Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Expecting unquestioning obedience: Characterized by demanding complete submission to authority without allowing questions or dissent.
   • Favoring or enforcing strict obedience to authority at the expense of personal freedom: Describing a system, government, or person that concentrates power and limits individual liberties.

2. Noun:

   • A person who behaves in a tyrannical manner: An individual who exercises power in an overbearing, controlling way, demanding absolute obedience.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The company's culture was highly authoritarian, leaving no room for employee feedback.
  • He grew up in an authoritarian household where children were seen but not heard.
• Noun:
  • The manager was an authoritarian who micromanaged every detail of the project.
  • True democrats oppose authoritarians who seek to dismantle civil liberties.

Advanced Usage

• Authoritarian personality: A psychological concept describing a personality type characterized by obedience to authority, conventionalism, and aggression towards those who defy norms.
  • The study explored the link between an authoritarian personality and political preferences.
• Authoritarian regime/government/state: A political system where power is concentrated in the hands of a leader or small elite not constitutionally responsible to the people.
  • The country transitioned from an authoritarian regime to a fledgling democracy.

Variants and Related Words

• Authoritarianism (n): The principle of blind submission to authority, as opposed to individual freedom of thought and action.
  • The rise of authoritarianism is a threat to global stability.
• Authoritatively (adv): In a commanding and confident manner that expects to be obeyed.
  • She spoke authoritatively on the subject.

Synonyms

• Adjective: Autocratic, dictatorial, despotic, tyrannical, domineering, overbearing.
• Noun: Autocrat, dictator, despot, tyrant.

Related Phrases

• Authoritarian rule: Governance marked by the enforcement of strict obedience.
  • The nation suffered for decades under authoritarian rule.
• Authoritarian leadership: A leadership style where a single leader makes all decisions with little input from group members.
  • The team's creativity was stifled by the CEO's authoritarian leadership.

Adjective

1. expecting unquestioning obedience
   • the timid child of authoritarian parents
   • insufferably overbearing behavior toward the waiter
2. 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

Noun

1. a person who behaves in a tyrannical manner
   • my boss is a dictator who makes everyone work overtime