authoritarian

[uh-thawr-i-tair-ee-uh n, uh-thor-] /əˌθɔr ɪˈtɛər i ən, əˌθɒr-/
adjective
1.
favoring complete obedience or subjection to authority as opposed to individual freedom:
authoritarian principles; authoritarian attitudes.
2.
of or pertaining to a governmental or political system, principle, or practice in which individual freedom is held as completely subordinate to the power or authority of the state, centered either in one person or a small group that is not constitutionally accountable to the people.
3.
exercising complete or almost complete control over the will of another or of others:
an authoritarian parent.
noun
4.
a person who favors or acts according to authoritarian principles.
Origin
1875-80; authorit(y) + -arian
Related forms
authoritarianism, noun
antiauthoritarian, adjective
antiauthoritarianism, noun
nonauthoritarian, adjective
Examples from the web for authoritarian
  • The director said he had coped with the authoritarian environment of his childhood by living in a world of fantasy.
  • The authors reveal that spanking and other authoritarian methods work against this process.
  • The group owns the individual; music to the ears of every authoritarian in the world.
  • It is there to neutralize and paralyze this state which is too strong and too authoritarian.
  • They also accuse him of using authoritarian tactics to stifle dissent.
  • Cracks are appearing in the authoritarian structure.
  • Simple definition, authoritarian governments tell you what not to do.
  • We try to find that reason and deal with it on a human, not an authoritarian level.
  • The first step is in admitting to being an authoritarian.
  • He allied himself with the church to organize society on a hierarchical and authoritarian structure.
British Dictionary definitions for authoritarian

authoritarian

/ɔːˌθɒrɪˈtɛərɪən/
adjective
1.
favouring, denoting, or characterized by strict obedience to authority
2.
favouring, denoting, or relating to government by a small elite with wide powers
3.
despotic; dictatorial; domineering
noun
4.
a person who favours or practises authoritarian policies
Derived Forms
authoritarianism, noun
Word Origin and History for authoritarian
adj.

1862, "favoring imposed order over freedom," from authority + -an. Cf. authoritative, which originally had this meaning to itself. Noun in the sense of one advocating or practicing such governance is from 1859.