Authoritarianism

Quick meaning: Authoritarianism is a noun meaning A form of government in which the governing body has absolute, or almost absolute, control. Typically this control is maintained by force, and little heed is paid to public opinion or the judicial system.

Meaning

A form of government in which the governing body has absolute, or almost absolute, control. Typically this control is maintained by force, and little heed is paid to public opinion or the judicial system.

Example Sentences

Near-synonyms: dictatorialism; autocratism; totalitarianism (see usage note there)

If Trump defies the Court here, then America will have taken an important step toward authoritarianism and anti-constitutional government.

This is the struggle of our time. The forces of freedom, openness and global community against the forces of authoritarianism, isolationism and nationalism.

Working from a psycho-dynamic perspective, Fromm explained authoritarianism as a response to the breakdown of traditional social structures brought about by industrialization and modernization.

Word Forms

• authoritarianisms

Synonyms for authoritarianism

Depending on context, synonyms include dictatorialism, autocratism, totalitarianism, tyranny, despotism, dictatorship.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include dictatorship, despotism, totalitarianism, tyranny, monocracy, absolutism.

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