authoritarian
favoring strict, controlling authority
Liking or using very strong control and expecting people to obey without question, often giving them little freedom.
[someone/something] is authoritarian
- The new president has adopted increasingly authoritarian policies toward the media.
- Many citizens fear that the country is sliding toward an authoritarian system.
- Her management style is highly authoritarian, leaving employees little room to make decisions.
- He grew up in a very authoritarian household where questioning rules was not allowed.
- Critics warn that the reforms could pave the way for a more authoritarian form of government.
- The teacher was too authoritarian, and the students were afraid to speak.
- People left the company because the boss was very authoritarian.
- Some parents are authoritarian and do not listen to their children.
- The party became more authoritarian after it won the election.
- An authoritarian leader does not like open discussion.
person who is very controlling
A person who likes to control others in a very strict way and wants people to obey without question.
[someone] is an authoritarian
- As a manager, he is an authoritarian who refuses to share decision-making power.
- The children saw their father as an authoritarian who never explained his rules.
- Many voters are tired of authoritarians who silence critics and control the media.
- Working under an authoritarian can be stressful, because every small choice is checked.
- She used to be an authoritarian, but over time she became more open to discussion.
- My old boss was an authoritarian, and no one liked working for him.
- Her father is an authoritarian who decides everything for the family.
- People do not want another authoritarian to lead the country.
- He acts like an authoritarian and does not listen to other ideas.
- The students thought their new principal was an authoritarian.
- Base: authoritarian
- Base: authoritarian
- Plural: authoritarians
authoritarian government
1government that rules very strictly
A government that rules in a very strict way and does not allow much freedom or open opposition.
- Under the authoritarian government, protests are quickly broken up by the police.
- Journalists in an authoritarian government often face pressure or threats.
- The country moved from an authoritarian government to a more democratic system.
authoritarian leadership
1very controlling leadership style
A way of leading where the leader makes all the important decisions and expects others to follow without question.
- Authoritarian leadership can be effective in emergencies but often harms creativity.
- The company culture changed when the new CEO replaced authoritarian leadership with a more open style.
- Researchers compared authoritarian leadership with more cooperative approaches in the workplace.
authoritarian parenting
1very strict parenting style
A way of raising children that is very strict and expects strong obedience, with little open discussion.
- Studies suggest that authoritarian parenting can lead to fear rather than respect.
- Her parents practiced authoritarian parenting, setting many rules but rarely explaining them.
- The article compared authoritarian parenting with more flexible approaches.
authoritarian regime
1strict, freedom-limiting government
A type of government that has very strong control and gives people few political rights or freedoms.
- The authoritarian regime banned all opposition parties.
- Many people fled the country to escape the authoritarian regime.
- Citizens protested against the authoritarian regime's new laws.
- International groups accused the authoritarian regime of serious human rights abuses.
- The new laws give the president powers similar to those in an authoritarian regime.