anti-democrat

IPA/ˌæn.tiˈdem.ə.kræt/
IPA/ˌæn.taɪˈdem.ə.kræt/

anti-democrat — noun

1. a person who believes that rule by the people through fair elections and represe

1.nounC1
Definition

a person who believes that rule by the people through fair elections and representative government is a bad system and wants to replace it with a different form of rule.

Example

The general was known as an anti-democrat who believed a strong leader should rule without elections.

anti-democrat who believed — belief pattern

Critics called the new president an anti-democrat after he shut down three independent newspapers.

Common collocations
  • fierce anti-democrat
  • self-described anti-democrat
  • vocal anti-democrat
Synonyms
  • authoritarian

    broader — describes any system or person that demands obedience to authority, not specifically opposition to democracy

  • autocrat

    stronger — a ruler with unlimited power, whereas an anti-democrat may simply argue against democratic systems

Antonyms
  • democrat

    direct opposite — someone who supports democracy

Usage Note

Often used as a label by critics rather than a self-description; few people openly call themselves anti-democrats.

Common Mistakes

The dictator was an anti-democratic.
The dictator was an anti-democrat.
'anti-democrat' is a noun for a person; 'anti-democratic' is the adjective form.

2. a person who is against the political party in the United States that is known f

2.nounC1
Definition

a person who is against the political party in the United States that is known for liberal and progressive policies, usually supporting the Republican Party instead.

Example

Vikram's uncle is a well-known anti-democrat who donates money to Republican candidates every year.

anti-democrat who donates — supports Republicans

The newspaper called the senator an anti-democrat for blocking every bill from the Democratic Party.

Common collocations
  • vocal anti-democrat
  • strong anti-democrat
  • well-known anti-democrat
  • anti-democrat activist
Synonyms
  • Republican

    broader — a Republican may or may not be actively opposed to the Democratic Party; 'anti-democrat' emphasises opposition

  • conservative

    broader still — not all conservatives are anti-Democrats, and the term covers a wide range of non-US contexts

Antonyms
  • Democrat

    a member or supporter of the US Democratic Party

Usage Note

Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is specific to US party politics and does not imply opposition to democracy as a system. The context is typically American election coverage.

Common Mistakes

She is an anti-democrat who wants to end voting.
She is an anti-democrat who opposes the Democratic Party.
sense 2 is about party opposition, not opposition to democratic government.

anti-democrat — adjective

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

While all four terms describe opposition to democratic governance, they differ in emphasis. An 'anti-democrat' argues against democratic systems in principle, but may not hold power — the word focuses on belief rather than action. An 'authoritarian' demands obedience to authority and may allow some limited institutions. An 'autocrat' holds absolute personal power, often legally. A 'dictator' seizes power by force and rules without any constitutional limits. 'Totalitarian' describes a system that controls every aspect of public and private life. For example: 'The philosopher was an anti-democrat who wrote books criticising elections, but he never ran for office himself — unlike the dictator who overthrew the government.'

authoritarian ↗autocrat ↗dictator ↗totalitarian ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Etymology

GreekEnglish

Formed in English by combining the prefix 'anti-' (meaning 'against', from Greek 'anti') with 'democrat' (from Greek 'dēmos' meaning 'the people' and 'kratos' meaning 'rule' or 'power'). The word first appeared in the early 19th century to label opponents of the growing democratic movements in Europe and America. The US party-specific sense developed in the mid-20th century as the Democratic Party became a fixed name.