AUTHORITARIANISM Synonyms: 31 Similar and Opposite Words

authoritarianism

noun

Definition of authoritarianism

as in tyranny

a system of government in which the ruler has unlimited power a critical period that saw a number of third-world countries abandon authoritarianism for democracy

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of authoritarianism The last one was really about the allure of authoritarianism. — J. Kim Murphy, IndieWire, 22 Oct. 2026 But our survey respondents’ subsequent shift toward national identity, coupled with a further decline in mosque attendance, suggest that Erdogan’s turn toward authoritarianism may have intensified an ongoing trend toward liberalization. — Mansoor Moaddel, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026 Critics see a once-lively multiethnic crossroads suffocated by Chinese authoritarianism. — David J. Lynch, Washington Post, 15 Oct. 2026 Deploying government agencies without regard for facts or consequences is, of course, a hallmark of authoritarianism. — Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026 There have been great inequalities, great challenges, authoritarianism, fascism in the past, and people stand up against it. — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2026 Drawing on authoritarianism scholars, the piece contends that linking criticism of Trump to hostility toward America can stigmatize dissent and make opponents appear to be enemies of the country. — Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026 Like much else in Guatemala, the colossal, mint-green presidential palace where Arévalo sat down with me is a holdover from a bygone era of authoritarianism. — Will Freeman, The Atlantic, 20 Sep. 2026 The Oscar winner took a walk down memory lane to detail how many artists and collaborators lifted him up on his journey while also taking aim at authoritarianism. — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for authoritarianism

Noun

Americans in 1940, although not yet at war, were the Arsenal of Democracy that likely saved the world from fascist tyranny.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
But, as Roy points out, finding love with Ellen actually gives Brian the strength to stand up to Lovat’s tyranny rather than bow to it.

— Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of tyranny

Noun

His raspy voice, his beard, his missing finger and the cadence of his speech have been fixtures of Brazilian public life since Brazil’s first direct presidential election after the dictatorship ended in 1985.

— Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026
This strategy is unlikely to work on liberal Israelis, who view this election as the last chance to save their homeland from sliding into dictatorship.

— Aluf Benn, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of dictatorship

Noun

There never was a better moment for a movement aimed at resisting fascism, preventing war and eliminating poverty at home.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026
Many immigrants who arrived in the United States from Europe, including some Italians who came during the two years between Mussolini’s March on Rome and the passage of the Immigration Act of 1924, left Italy because of the rise of fascism.

— Ed Simon, JSTOR Daily, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of fascism

Noun

Fighting autocracy and inequality The Ford Foundation frames its new plan as its answer to rising autocracy, widening inequality, and fading public trust.

— Sydney Lake, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
The Ford Foundation, one of the world's largest private grantmakers, will overhaul its spending to counter what new leadership views as the mutually reinforcing rise of both autocracy and inequality.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of autocracy

Noun

Most often, socialism morphs into totalitarianism, as its egalitarian ideals are no match for human nature.

— Nolan Finley The Detroit News, Arkansas Online, 9 Sep. 2026
Interesting, too, how the project’s warnings about Russian totalitarianism, particularly stark in DAU.

— Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of totalitarianism

Noun

Fed up with Shockley’s managerial despotism, Noyce—along with seven colleagues, who became known as the Traitorous Eight—defected to found a rival firm, Fairchild Semiconductor, and then defected again to found Intel.

— Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
The nation which will not adopt an equilibrium of power must adopt a despotism.

— Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026

Definition of despotism

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“Authoritarianism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/authoritarianism. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of authoritarianism

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