Word
absolutist
Phoneticsab·so·lutist
US/æbsəˈɫutɪst/
UK/ˈæbsəlˌuːtɪst/
Politics
Definition
n. a person who believes in having total power or control over everything. They do not accept any limits on their authority.
n. a person who advocates for or exercises total power and control, rejecting any limitations on authority. Often used in political or historical contexts to describe leaders who demand absolute obedience.
Examples
“The absolutist ruler refused to listen to any advice.”
“The new absolutist in the office changed the rules without consulting the rest of the team.”
“Historians often debate whether the rise of the absolutist state was a necessary step toward modern governance or a regression into tyranny.”
Examples
simple
“The absolutist ruler refused to listen to any advice.”
contextual
“The new absolutist in the office changed the rules without consulting the rest of the team.”
complex
“Historians often debate whether the rise of the absolutist state was a necessary step toward modern governance or a regression into tyranny.”
Etymology
From absolute + -ist after French absolutiste.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/absolutist