authoritarian

/ɔ:,θɔri'teəriən/
Học thuật
Thân thiện
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