Adjective: authoritarian o,thor-u'teh-ree-un or o,thór-u'teh-ree-un [N. Amer], o,thó-ru'teh-ree-un [Brit]
- Characteristic of an absolute ruler or absolute rule; having absolute sovereignty
"an authoritarian regime";
- autocratic, dictatorial, despotic, tyrannic, tyrannical
- Expecting unquestioning obedience
"the timid child of authoritarian parents";
- dictatorial, overbearing
- A person who behaves in a tyrannical manner
"The new manager was an authoritarian who micromanaged every aspect of the office";
- dictator
Derived forms: authoritarians
See also: domineering, undemocratic
Type of: oppressor
Encyclopedia: Authoritarian