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Draconian vs Authoritarian - What's the difference?

draconian | authoritarian |

As adjectives the difference between draconian and authoritarian

is that draconian is very severe, oppressive or strict while authoritarian is of, or relating to, absolute obedience to an authority.

As a noun authoritarian is

one who commands absolute obedience to his or her authority.

draconian

English

Etymology 1

From the Athenian lawmaker , known for making harsh laws.

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Very severe, oppressive or strict.
    • The Soviet regime was draconian .
    The mayor announced draconian budget cuts today.
  • * 2009 , Stuart Macintyre, A Concise History of Australia , page 125
    • The conflict in the countryside resulted in a far more draconian punishment. The Southern Cross flag flew over the camps of striking shearers, who in revenge for their victimisation burned grass, fences, buildings and even riverboats
    Synonyms
    * (very severe) cruel, hard, harsh, oppressive, rigid, strict, stringent

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl) .

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • (obsolete, except in fiction) Of or resembling a dragon
  • * {{quote-book, 2006, Steven Erikson, Deadhouse Gates, Book Two, pageurl=http://books.google.com/books?id=Oxnv04gItNAC&pg=PA384, page=384, isbn=0765348799
    • , passage=The dragon came low to the earth. It defied every image of a draconian being Kulp had ever seen. }}
  • * 2009 , Jacob Silvia, Qhoenix , page 73
    • A large sandwyrm (which isn't to be confused with a sandworm) popped its draconian head from the earth.
  • * 1973 , Doctor Who]]'', ''Frontier in Space , by [[Page title, Malcolm Hulke.
    • Although used as a noun, 'Draconion' is the name of a fictional, humanoid, dragon-like race from the 26th centuary, who originate the planet Draconia.
    Synonyms
    * (resembling a dragon) draconic, dragonlike

    Anagrams

    * English eponyms

    authoritarian

    English

    (wikipedia 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