# authoritarian

/əˌθɔɹəˈtɛɹiən/ (US) · /ˌɔːθɔːɹɪtˈeəɹiən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/authoritarian
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. strict and controlling

adjective · CEFR C1 · Academic · Formal

demanding that people obey completely and not allowing them any freedom.

For teachers: favouring or enforcing strict obedience to authority, especially that of the government, at the expense of personal freedom.

- The country was ruled by an authoritarian government for over thirty years.
- The transition from an authoritarian regime to a representative democracy proved to be a volatile process for the developing nation.

Usage: Commonly used to describe political systems, regimes, or leadership styles.

### 2. bossy or demanding

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

behaving like a person in power and expecting others to follow your orders without question.

For teachers: exhibiting a personality trait characterized by the desire to impose one's will on others through perceived or actual status.

- Her authoritarian manner made it difficult for her staff to suggest new ideas.
- The manager's authoritarian approach to project oversight stifled the creative autonomy of the design team.

Usage: Often describes a person's tone, manner, or parenting style.

### 3. a controlling person

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic · Formal

a person who believes in or uses strict authority to control others.

For teachers: an individual who advocates for or practices strict obedience to authority.

- As a strict authoritarian, the headteacher rarely listened to the students' complaints.
- Political theorists often distinguish between a traditional conservative and a true authoritarian regarding the role of the state in private life.

## Examples

- The country is ruled by an authoritarian government that bans all protests.
- The new manager's authoritarian style made the team miserable, as she demanded strict obedience and refused to listen to anyone's ideas.
- Critics warned that the emergency laws were a dangerous step toward an authoritarian state, granting the president unchecked power to silence political opponents and bypass the courts.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.