authoritarian
UK /ɔːˌθɒɹ.ɪˈtɛə̯.ɹɪən/ · US /əˌθɔɹ.əˈtɛɹ.i.ən/ adjective, noun
Forms authoritarians
- adjective Of, or relating to, or exhibiting strict obedience to an authority; favoring authoritarianism over civic and individual liberties. “the authoritarian personality”
- adjective Demanding obedience to authority; marked by authoritarianism; dictatorial, tyrannical. “The authoritarian government was demanding stricter laws for low-wage peasants.”
- adjective Tending to impose one's demands upon others as if one were an authority.
- noun One who commands absolute obedience to his or her authority. “The dictator was an authoritarian.”
- noun One who follows and is excessively obedient to authority.
Synonyms
bossy arrogant commanding haughty imperious dictator autocratic dictatorial despotic tyrannic tyrannical overbearing
Antonyms
Etymology
From authority + -arian, circa 1880.
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 — from the Wiktionary entry “authoritarian”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details