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autoritario

authoritarian

adjective ow-toh-ree-TAH-ryoh Rare

Usage Note

Autoritario describes a person, government, or style that demands unquestioning obedience and allows little individual freedom. It differs from autoritativo (authoritative, commanding respect through expertise), a distinction that matters in political and pedagogical contexts. The noun form is autoritarismo (authoritarianism).

Examples

"El régimen era sumamente autoritario."

Natural Translation

The regime was extremely authoritarian.

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