authoritarian
aw-thor-i-TARE-ee-un
/ɔːˌθɒrɪˈtɛːrɪən/
Enforcing strict obedience to authority at the expense of personal freedom and democratic rights.
Focuses on central political control and suppression of dissent, though not necessarily controlling all private individual life.
The story behind the word. Rooted in the Latin 'auctor' (master or creator), authority originally meant legitimate power. In the mid-20th century, 'authoritarian' took on its current sinister meaning to describe regimes that demand total obedience and dismantle personal liberty.
Word relationships
- autocratic: Autocratic emphasizes absolute rule by a single person, while authoritarian can apply to single rulers or ruling parties.
- despotic: Despotic implies tyrannical and cruel abuse of power.
- democratic: Democratic systems rely on citizen participation and popular elections rather than centralized enforcement.
- libertarian: Libertarian doctrine prioritizes maximal individual autonomy over state authority.
Commonly confused with
- authoritative: Authoritative means trusted, expert, and commanding respect; authoritarian means bossy, dictatorial, and oppressive.
Word family
- authoritarianism (noun): The enforcement of strict obedience to authority at the expense of personal freedom.
Collocations
- authoritarian regime
- authoritarian state
- authoritarian tendencies
- authoritarian rule
Idioms & expressions
- iron fist
- heavy-handed rule
Example sentences
- "The authoritarian regime cracked down on independent newspapers and banned public protest rallies." Global Governance
- "Citizens living under authoritarian rule often develop subtle strategies of passive resistance." Sociological Study
Memory hook
AUTHORITARIANs demand that everyone obey the AUTHOR'S orders without question. Obey authority without question.
When not to use
Do not confuse with 'authoritative', which means knowledgeable and deserving of respect.
Fun facts
- Social psychologists developed the 'F-scale' (Facism scale) in 1947 to measure authoritarian personality traits in individuals.
Related words
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