authoritarianism
noun/əˌθɒrɪˈtɛriənɪzəm/
Frequency rank: #12,996 most common English word
Meaning
a system of government in which one leader or party holds absolute power and demands strict obedience, suppressing individual freedoms.

Example sentence
Many citizens protested against authoritarianism after the government began restricting free speech.
Synonyms & related words
- tyranny
- dictatorship
- despotism
- totalitarianism
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