How to Pronounce Authoritarian

To pronounce "authoritarian", say AUTH-or-it-ar-ian — 5 syllables, IPA /ɔːˌθɒrɪˈtɛːrɪən/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

authoritarian

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Accent

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5

Syllables

13

Letters

/ɔːˌθɒrɪˈtɛːrɪən/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “authoritarian”

"authoritarian" has 5 syllables: auth-or-it-ar-ian. It rhymes with utilitarian and barbarian, if that helps it stick.

What does authoritarian mean?

noun

  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”

adjective

  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.

    “The authoritarian government was demanding stricter laws for low-wage peasants.”

Synonyms

illiberaloppressivearrogantcommandinghaughtyimperious

Antonyms

liberalhumblemodestservile

Hear “authoritarian” in real sentences

Real example sentences from Tatoeba (CC-BY) — tap to hear each one, or see it used on YouGlish.

Words that rhyme with authoritarian

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

utilitarianbarbarianagrariansectariancontrarianegalitarianproletariandisciplinarianhumanitariancarrioncentenarianoctogenarian

Related words

autocraticdictatordictatorialdespotictyrannicaldomineeringoverbearingundemocratic

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "authoritarian"?▾

"Authoritarian" has 5 syllables: auth · or · it · ar · ian.

What is the IPA transcription of "authoritarian"?▾

The IPA transcription of "authoritarian" is /ɔːˌθɒrɪˈtɛːrɪən/.

What does "authoritarian" mean?▾

Authoritarian: One who commands absolute obedience to his or her authority.

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