different between dictatorship vs authoritarian

English

Etymology

dictator +? -ship

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /d?k?te?t?(?)??p/
• (US) IPA^(key): /?d?kte?t????p/

Noun

dictatorship (plural dictatorships)

1. A type of government where absolute sovereignty is allotted to an individual or a small clique.
2. A government which exercises autocratic rule.
3. Any household, institution, or other organization that is run under such sovereignty or autocracy.

Synonyms

• autocracy
• dictatorialism

Derived terms

Translations

English

Etymology

Circa 1880 authority +? -arian

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?????r??t??r??n/
• (US) IPA^(key): /????r??t?ri?n/, /????r??t?ri?n/, /????r??t?ri?n/, /????r??t?ri?n/

Adjective

authoritarian (comparative more authoritarian, superlative most authoritarian)

1. Of, or relating to, or exhibiting strict obedience to an authority; favoring authoritarianism over civic and individual liberties.
2. Demanding obedience to authority; marked by authoritarianism; dictatorial, tyrannical.
3. Tending to impose one's demands upon others as if one were an authority.

Synonyms

• (characterised by a tyrannical obedience to an authority): illiberal, oppressive
• (tending to impose one's demands): arrogant, commanding, haughty, imperious
• See also Thesaurus:bossy

Antonyms

• (characterised by a tyrannical obedience to an authority): liberal
• (tending to impose one's demands): servile, humble, modest

Derived terms

• antiauthoritarian
• authoritarianism
• authoritarianity
• authoritarianly
• authoritarianness

Translations

Noun

authoritarian (plural authoritarians)

1. One who commands absolute obedience to his or her authority.

   The dictator was an authoritarian.

2. One who follows and is excessively obedient to authority.
   • 2006, Robert Altemeyer, The Authoritarians

Translations

References

• authoritarian at OneLook Dictionary Search
• authoritarian in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.