1
as in domineering
fond of ordering people around
grew up with an authoritarian older sister who thought she was queen of the world
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in strict
given to exacting standards of discipline and self-restraint
an authoritarian coach who runs football practice like it's boot camp
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in disciplinarian
Related Words
2
as in dictator
Related Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of authoritarian
Susan Page, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Simmone Shah, Time, 16 Sep. 2025
Brynjolfsson and Makanju shared concerns about authoritarian governments using these tools inappropriately.
—John Werner, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for authoritarian
Adjective
Trump isn't responsible for such long-term trends as Beijing's determination to rival the United States in global influence, or Putin's evolution to an entrenched authoritarian with expansionist ambitions.
—Susan Page, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
Researchers say an increase in killings often comes with major political changes—Colombia and the Philippines both saw upticks in attacks against defenders following the elections of authoritarian presidents Ivan Duque and Rodrigo Duterte in 2018 and 2016.
—Simmone Shah, Time, 16 Sep. 2025
Brynjolfsson and Makanju shared concerns about authoritarian governments using these tools inappropriately.
—John Werner, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for authoritarian
Recent Examples of Synonyms for authoritarian
Adjective
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Managers often grow more assertive (sometimes drifting into domineering).—
Dave Winsborough,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Also in the cast: Emmy winner Laurie Metcalfe, as Augusta Gein, the murderer's religious, domineering mother; Tom Hollander as director Alfred Hitchcock; Olivia Williams as the filmmaker's wife, Alma Reville Hitchcock; and Lesley Manville, as Gein's second murder victim, Bernice Worden.—
Chris Foran,
jsonline.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Sulfide electrolytes fall apart when exposed to humidity, demanding strict atmospheric controls during manufacturing.—
Tejasri Gururaj,
Interesting Engineering,
18 Sep. 2025
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Another 22% want innovation with strict risk controls.—
Lawrence Wintermeyer,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Mitevska also refuses to sanctify Mother Teresa more than necessary, instead portraying her as a strict disciplinarian who believed in organizational practicality as much as in the inherent holiness of children.—
Ritesh Mehta,
IndieWire,
27 Aug. 2025
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By several accounts, Xi was a ferocious disciplinarian.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
Noun
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Her party, the Brothers of Italy, was founded by followers of former dictator Benito Mussolini as a post-fascist movement following WWII.—
Dan Gooding
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
-
For Machado and the Venezuelan opposition, embracing a narrative in which Maduro is a drug lord, not just a dictator, is a bit of a gamble.—
Gisela Salim-Peyer,
The Atlantic,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Zane played the arrogant Cal Hockley, who was engaged to Jack's love interest, Rose (played by Kate Winslet).—
Virginia Chamlee,
People.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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Hardly seems like enough to cow these arrogant companies into behaving, especially when their business model is so intrinsically tied to hoovering up other people’s information and creative work.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Oysters inspired the researchers because of their remarkable ability to attach to rocks, bridge pilings, or even each other in the harsh underwater environment.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Sep. 2025
-
But the rules of the Long Walk are harsh and the stakes could not be higher.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
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But Muir’s co-moderator, Linsey Davis, was a different case: Davis wore a mannish, gray suit jacket and struck a pose of martinet — almost schoolmarmish — solemnity.—
Armond White,
National Review,
20 Sep. 2024
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There’s Cece’s father, long vanished; Ronnie, a predator; Marcel, a martinet; Joel, a manipulator; and a random catcaller in the street, whom Cece sends scurrying away by turning her acting skills to practical use.—
Richard Brody,
The New Yorker,
12 June 2024
Noun
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McDaniel has never been a screamer or a tyrant like some old-school coaches.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
17 Sep. 2025
-
The tyrant dies and his rule is over.—
Geoff Brumfiel,
NPR,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Authoritarian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/authoritarian. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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