paternalist
/pəˈtɜrnəlɪst/
noun
- A person who practices or supports paternalism, making decisions for others in a protective but controlling way.
- The factory owner was a paternalist who provided company housing but expected total loyalty from his workers.
- The politician was accused of being a paternalist for proposing policies that limited people's choices for their supposed benefit.
- As a paternalist, the principal believed that strict rules were necessary for students' own good.
Synonyms
Antonyms
adjective
- Relating to or characteristic of a paternalist or paternalism.
- His paternalist attitude toward his adult children often caused arguments.
- She rejected the paternalist notion that she needed a man to make decisions for her.
- The government's paternalist approach to public health included banning certain foods.