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Authoritarian: meaning, definitions and examples

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authoritarian

 

[ əˌθɒr.ɪˈteə.ri.ən ]

Adjective / Noun
Context #1 | Adjective

political

Favoring or enforcing strict obedience to authority at the expense of personal freedom. Characterized by a concentration of power in a leader or an elite not constitutionally responsible to the people.

Synonyms

autocratic, dictatorial, oppressive, totalitarian

Examples of usage

  • The country's government had become increasingly authoritarian, limiting the rights of its citizens.
  • The authoritarian regime cracked down on dissenting voices in the media.
Context #2 | Noun

person

A person who favors or enforces strict obedience to authority at the expense of personal freedom. A ruler who exercises power in a harsh and oppressive way.

Synonyms

despot, dictator, totalitarian, tyrant

Examples of usage

  • The leader was known for being an authoritarian, rarely allowing any opposition.
  • The authoritarian was criticized for his lack of tolerance towards differing opinions.

Translations

Translations of the word "authoritarian" in other languages:

🇵🇹 autoritário

🇮🇳 सत्तावादी

🇩🇪 autorität

🇮🇩 otoriter

🇺🇦 авторитарний

🇵🇱 autorytarny

🇯🇵 権威主義的な

🇫🇷 autoritaire

🇪🇸 autoritario

🇹🇷 otoriter

🇰🇷 권위주의적인

🇸🇦 استبدادي

🇨🇿 autoritářský

🇸🇰 autoritárny

🇨🇳 专制的

🇸🇮 avtoritaren

🇮🇸 einræðislegur

🇰🇿 авторитарлы

🇬🇪 ავტორიტარული

🇦🇿 avtoritar

🇲🇽 autoritario

Etymology

The term 'authoritarian' originated in the mid-19th century, derived from the word 'authority' with the suffix '-arian' meaning 'pertaining to'. It gained prominence during the rise of totalitarian regimes in the 20th century, describing governments that enforced strict obedience to authority. The concept of authoritarianism has been studied extensively in political science and sociology, highlighting its impact on individual rights and freedoms.

See also: authored, authoring, authoritative, authorities, authority, authorization, authorize, authorized, authorizer, authors, authorship.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,964, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.