What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Authoritarian vs Autonomy - What's the difference?

authoritarian | autonomy |

As nouns the difference between authoritarian and autonomy

is that authoritarian is one who commands absolute obedience to his or her authority while autonomy is self-government; freedom to act or function independently.

As an adjective authoritarian

is of, or relating to, absolute obedience to an authority.

authoritarian

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Of, or relating to, absolute obedience to an authority.
  • Characterised by a tyrannical obedience to an authority; dictatorial.
  • The authoritarian government was demanding stricter laws for low-wage peasants.
  • Tending to impose one's demands upon others as if one was an authority.
  • Synonyms

    * (sense, tending to impose one's demands) commanding, imperious * (characterised by a tyrannical obedience to an authority) illiberal, oppressive * See also

    Antonyms

    * (characterised by a tyrannical obedience to an authority) liberal

    Derived terms

    * authoritarianism * antiauthoritarian

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • One who commands absolute obedience to his or her authority.
  • The dictator was an authoritarian .
  • One who follows and is excessively obedient to authority.
  • * 2006', Robert Altemeyer, ''The '''Authoritarians
  • autonomy

    English

    Noun

  • Self-government; freedom to act or function independently.
  • (label) The capacity to make an informed, uncoerced decision.
  • (label) The capacity of a system to make a decision about its actions without the involvement of another system or operator.
  • (label) The status of a church whose highest-ranking bishop is appointed by the patriarch of the mother church, but which is self-governing in all other respects. Compare autocephaly.
  • Synonyms

    * (self-government) nationhood, nationality, sovereignty, independence

    Antonyms

    * (self-government) dependency, nonautonomy, inoperability * (capacity to make independent decisions) heteronomy, incapacity

    Derived terms

    * autonomic * autonomous, autonomously