German word

autoritär

Pronunciation

IPA/aʊ̯toʁiˈtɛːɐ̯/

Meaning

  • adjectiveauthoritarian

Example

Die autoritäre Chefin ist sehr streng.

The authoritarian boss is very strict.

Illustration for autoritär (authoritarian)

More examples

Sein autoritärer Ton machte viele Kolleginnen nervös.

His authoritarian tone made many female colleagues nervous.

Core concept

A boss's raised hand stops discussion while everyone else remains silent.

Common phrases

  • autoritärer Führungsstil

    authoritarian leadership style

  • autoritärer Ton

    authoritarian tone

  • autoritärer Chef

    authoritarian boss

Similar words

streng: Enforcing rules and standards with little tolerance for exceptions.
bestimmt: Making clear decisions firmly and without hesitation.
dominant: Seeking control and asserting superiority over others.
diktatorisch: Imposing one's own way through extreme, dictatorial force.

Definition in German

Durch strenge, befehlende Haltung gekennzeichnet; setzt andere unter Druck und lässt wenig Raum für Widerspruch.

Word origin

The German adjective autoritär entered German through French autoritaire and ultimately goes back to Latin auctoritas, meaning authority.

Usage tips

  • German autoritär usually carries a negative meaning, whereas English authoritative can describe someone positively or merely as well informed.

Other meanings

  • authoritativeadjective
  • high-handedadjective
  • oppressiveadjective

Opposites

  • liberalliberaladjective
  • nachgiebigyieldingadjective

Related words

  • Autoritarismusauthoritarianismnoun

Word lists with this word