au·thor·i·tar·i·an [aw thàwr? térree ?n] adjective 1. strict and demanding obedience: favoring strict rules and established authority 2. demanding political obedience: belonging to or believing in a political system in which obedience to the ruling person or group is strongly enforced -au·thor·i·tar·i·an, noun -au·thor·i·tar·i·an·ism, noun