as in tyranny
a system of government in which the ruler has unlimited power
a critical period that saw a number of third-world countries abandon authoritarianism for democracy
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Recent Examples of authoritarianism
In her book, Richard explains how a small group of wealthy people have led the country into authoritarianism, waging war on US ideals.
—
Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
His themes intersect with those of Kiarostami—an anti-authoritarianism that, though no less radical, is an ironic, self-deprecating one.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2026
At the same time, AI, with its surveillance potential, might have been invented for the new age of authoritarianism.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 26 Mar. 2026
Working with his regular cinematographer Oleg Mutu, Loznitsa gives this prison — and authoritarianism itself — a sickly luster without ever denying its wretched stench.
—Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
When seen like that, as a sequence of facts, the logic of authoritarianism becomes clear.
—Literary Hub, 18 Mar. 2026
Such a nakedly partisan message would not work in Boca, where the Republican base cares less about Trumpian authoritarianism and more about high quality of life and low taxes.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 16 Mar. 2026
Nations can’t just blink away the nightmares of authoritarianism or assume that removing a strongman will resolve the societal conditions that led to his rise.
—Michael Snyder, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
For over three decades, Khamenei subjected Iranians to severe authoritarianism and repression, culminating in him ordering the security forces to shoot and kill thousands of Iranians during the protests in January 2026, not to mention those in previous years.
—Eric Lob, The Conversation, 2 Mar. 2026
Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
His themes intersect with those of Kiarostami—an anti-authoritarianism that, though no less radical, is an ironic, self-deprecating one.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2026
At the same time, AI, with its surveillance potential, might have been invented for the new age of authoritarianism.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 26 Mar. 2026
Working with his regular cinematographer Oleg Mutu, Loznitsa gives this prison — and authoritarianism itself — a sickly luster without ever denying its wretched stench.
—Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
When seen like that, as a sequence of facts, the logic of authoritarianism becomes clear.
—Literary Hub, 18 Mar. 2026
Such a nakedly partisan message would not work in Boca, where the Republican base cares less about Trumpian authoritarianism and more about high quality of life and low taxes.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 16 Mar. 2026
Nations can’t just blink away the nightmares of authoritarianism or assume that removing a strongman will resolve the societal conditions that led to his rise.
—Michael Snyder, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
For over three decades, Khamenei subjected Iranians to severe authoritarianism and repression, culminating in him ordering the security forces to shoot and kill thousands of Iranians during the protests in January 2026, not to mention those in previous years.
—Eric Lob, The Conversation, 2 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for authoritarianism
Noun
-
Establishing an entirely new and competing agency is merely the pursuit of a bureaucratic gravy train, and providing it with incentives to abuse power in order to boost its own coffers is an invitation to tyranny.—
Adam Summers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
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Yet, by God’s grace, my Hispanic grandparents immigrated to the United States on July 4, 1976, and have cherished the freedoms from tyranny that have come with living here ever since.—
Stephen Mitchell,
Baltimore Sun,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The program, launched in 1975 during the country's military dictatorship, has successfully evolved in democratic times to reduce dependency on foreign oil.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
President Javier Milei’s government has called for a broader account that also includes victims of left-wing guerrilla violence, which some suggest is a way to minimize the crimes of the dictatorship.—
Juan Melamed,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Her works explored Oedipal urges and creeping fascism.—
Laura Regensdorf,
Vogue,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Hungary had a very weak civil society after 70 years of totalitarian fascism and communism.—
John Shattuck,
The Conversation,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Oil and autocracy in Venezuela The currency of exchange between America and Venezuela is oil.—
Boris Muñoz,
Time,
3 Apr. 2026
-
But in an autocracy with a leader who is quick to promote allies and punish dissenters, officials have far more reason to implement Xi’s policy preferences than to challenge them.—
Michael Schuman,
The Atlantic,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Jury President Wim Wenders praised the film for its portrait of life under totalitarianism saying the story would chime with and serve as a wakeup call for people all over the world.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
21 Feb. 2026
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His loathing for totalitarianism was among the very few hatreds Reagan ever held, his biographer Edmund Morris said.—
Peter Wehner,
The Atlantic,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The hope is that the institutional reforms started by the interim administration of Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus deliver the necessary checks and balances to avert another lurch toward despotism.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
28 Jan. 2026
-
The strength and powers of despotism consist wholly in the fear of resisting it.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
16 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Authoritarianism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/authoritarianism. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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