Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun authoritarian
1 sense of authoritarian
Sense 1
authoritarian, dictator -- (a person who behaves in a tyrannical manner; "my boss is a dictator who makes everyone work overtime")
=> oppressor -- (a person of authority who subjects others to undue pressures)
Antonyms of adj authoritarian
2 senses of authoritarian
Sense 1
authoritarian, autocratic, dictatorial, despotic, tyrannic, tyrannical -- (characteristic of an absolute ruler or absolute rule; having absolute sovereignty; "an authoritarian regime"; "autocratic government"; "despotic rulers"; "a dictatorial rule that lasted for the duration of the war"; "a tyrannical government")
INDIRECT (VIA undemocratic) -> democratic -- (characterized by or advocating or based upon the principles of democracy or social equality; "democratic government"; "a democratic country"; "a democratic scorn for bloated dukes and lords"- George du Maurier)
Sense 2
authoritarian, dictatorial, overbearing -- (expecting unquestioning obedience; "the timid child of authoritarian parents"; "insufferably overbearing behavior toward the waiter")
INDIRECT (VIA domineering) -> submissive -- (inclined or willing to submit to orders or wishes of others or showing such inclination; "submissive servants"; "a submissive reply"; "replacing troublemakers with more submissive people")
Similarity of adj authoritarian
2 senses of authoritarian
Sense 1
authoritarian, autocratic, dictatorial, despotic, tyrannic, tyrannical -- (characteristic of an absolute ruler or absolute rule; having absolute sovereignty; "an authoritarian regime"; "autocratic government"; "despotic rulers"; "a dictatorial rule that lasted for the duration of the war"; "a tyrannical government")
=> undemocratic (vs. democratic) -- (not in agreement with or according to democratic doctrine or practice or ideals; "the union broke with its past undemocratic procedures")
Sense 2
authoritarian, dictatorial, overbearing -- (expecting unquestioning obedience; "the timid child of authoritarian parents"; "insufferably overbearing behavior toward the waiter")
=> domineering (vs. submissive) -- (tending to domineer)