Authoritarian

Pronunciation

• enPR: ô-thŏr'Ä­-târ'Ä“-É™n

Origin

Circa 1880 authority + -arian

Full definition of authoritarian

Adjective

1. Of, or relating to, absolute obedience to an authority.
2. Characterised by a tyrannical obedience to an authority; dictatorial.The authoritarian government was demanding stricter laws for low-wage peasants.
3. Tending to impose one's demands upon others as if one was an authority.

Synonyms

• (tending to impose one's demands) commanding, imperious
• (characterised by a tyrannical obedience to an authority) illiberal, oppressive

Antonyms

• (characterised by a tyrannical obedience to an authority) liberal

Derived terms

• authoritarianism
• antiauthoritarian

Noun

1. One who commands absolute obedience to his or her authority.The dictator was an authoritarian.
2. One who follows and is excessively obedient to authority.
• 2006, Robert Altemeyer, The Authoritarians