paternalism
noun [U] /pəˈtɜː.nə.lɪ.zəm/
/-ˈtɝː-/ usually disapprovingDefinition
› thinking or behaviour by people in authority that results in them making decisions for other people that, although they may be to those people's advantage, prevent them from taking responsibility for their own livesControlling and being in charge paternalist /-lɪst/ noun [C] paternalistic /pəˌtɜː.nəˈlɪs.tɪk/
/-ˌtɝː.nəˈlɪs-/ adjective
/-ˌtɝː.nəˈlɪs-/ adjective (Definition of paternalism noun from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus
© Cambridge University Press)
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Synonyms and related words:
- assume verb (TAKE CONTROL)
- assumption noun
- authoritative adjective
- be (like) putty in sb's hands idiom
- be in the driving seat idiom
- commanding adjective (WITH AUTHORITY)
- cynical adjective
- dictate verb (GIVE ORDERS)
- have sb by the balls idiom
- have sb eating out of your hand idiom
- have sb in the palm of your hand idiom
- have/hold the whip hand idiom
- high-handed adjective
- play God idiom
- police verb
- possess verb (CONTROL)
- predominate verb
- preside verb
- rein sth in phrasal verb (ACTIVITY)
- skipper verb
Word of the Day
throw caution to the wind/winds
to do something without worrying about the risk or negative results
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