authoritarians
|au-tho-ri-ta-ri-ans|
🇺🇸
/əˌθɔrɪˈtɛriənz/
🇬🇧
/ɔːˌθɒrɪˈteəriənz/
(authoritarian)
strict control
Etymology
'authoritarian' originates from French, specifically the word 'autoritaire', where 'autorité' (from Latin 'auctoritas') meant 'authority' or 'influence'.
'authoritarian' entered English in the 19th century from French 'autoritaire', which ultimately derives from Latin 'auctoritas' (meaning 'authority, command') and the suffix '-ian' forming adjectives/nouns.
Initially it designated something 'relating to authority' (neutral descriptive), but over time it evolved to commonly mean 'favoring strict, often repressive, centralized control' with negative connotations.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
plural of 'authoritarian': people who support or favor an authoritarian form of government or political system that emphasizes strong central power and limited political freedoms.
Many authoritarians argued that strict laws were necessary to preserve order.
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Noun 2
plural of 'authoritarian': rulers or leaders who exercise power in a harsh, autocratic, or repressive manner.
The authoritarians in power cracked down on protests and censored the press.
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Adjective 1
describing a person, policy, or system that favors strict obedience to authority, often at the expense of personal freedom.
Policies promoted by authoritarians tend to prioritize security over civil liberties.
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Last updated: 2025/08/23 10:05