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Definition of authoritarianism

authoritarianism

/əˌθɔːr.əˈter.i.ə.nɪ.zəm/
au · thor · i · tar · i · an · ism
Adjective:authoritarian
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authoritarianism Lexical Profile

• noun

1

The enforcement or advocacy of strict obedience to authority at the expense of personal freedom, especially in a political system characterized by centralized power and limited political pluralism.

Example

"The historian's new book examines the gradual shift from fledgling democracy to entrenched authoritarianism in the region."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for authoritarianism
Antonyms
View all antonyms for authoritarianism

Word Nuance & Usage

In political science, 'authoritarianism' is often distinguished from 'totalitarianism': while an authoritarian regime restricts political pluralism to maintain power, a totalitarian regime seeks to control virtually every aspect of public and private life through an overarching ideology.

• Rhymes for authoritarianism

• Nearby Words

author
authoress
authoritarian
authoritarianism
authoritative
authoritatively
authoritativeness

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the late 19th century from 'authoritarian' plus the suffix '-ism', ultimately tracing back to the Latin 'auctoritas', meaning 'invention, advice, opinion, influence, or command'.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Authoritarianism. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/authoritarianism
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