What does authoritarian mean?
Authoritarian describes systems of power, leaders, or individuals who demand strict obedience while allowing little or no personal freedom. It is most often applied to governments that suppress dissent, restrict the press, and concentrate power in a single ruler or party, but it can equally describe a domineering parent, teacher, or manager. The word is strongly pejorative: calling someone authoritarian implies rigidity, control, and contempt for consent, which distinguishes it from merely firm or disciplined leadership. As a noun, an authoritarian is a person who favours such control. Related forms include authoritarianism, the ideology or practice itself. Because debates about democracy, censorship, and civil liberties recur constantly in news and politics, authoritarian is an essential word for discussing how power is exercised — and abused — around the world.
Favouring or enforcing strict obedience to authority at the expense of personal freedom.
"The opposition accused the president of adopting increasingly authoritarian methods."
Almost always carries negative connotations; contrast with authoritative.
A person who advocates or practises strict obedience to authority and rigid control over others.
"He ruled the household like a true authoritarian, tolerating no disagreement."
Used when referring to multiple individuals who practise or advocate authoritarian control.
"History's great authoritarians have rarely tolerated an independent press."
The word "authoritarian" was popularised in the 20th century largely by psychologists studying why ordinary people submit to tyrants — making it one of the few political labels born in the laboratory as much as in the statehouse.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of authoritarian
Authoritarian derives from "authority," which entered English from Old French autorité, ultimately from Latin auctoritas, meaning command, influence, or sanction, itself rooted in auctor (originator, promoter). The adjective formed directly from authority with the suffix -arian, appearing in English in the 19th century. It shares its Latin root with words such as authoritative, author, and authorization. Its prominence grew sharply in the 20th century alongside studies of totalitarian states and, notably, psychological research into the "authoritarian personality."
Related word forms
How authoritarian is actually used
Predominantly formal and almost always pejorative when applied to governments or people. In psychology, "authoritarian parenting" is a technical term describing high-demand, low-warmth styles, and is not necessarily an insult in that context.
Easily confused with authoritarian
"Authoritative" means commanding and reliable because of expertise or official standing, while "authoritarian" means demanding obedience through strict control, usually with negative connotations.