Meaning & use
paternalistic
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Describing a system or attitude in which authority is exercised over others in a way that limits their freedom, supposedly for their own good.
See it in a sentence
Critics called the company's strict rules on employees' personal lives paternalistic.
The colonial government took a paternalistic approach, making decisions for the local population without consulting them.
A note on using this word
Usually used critically to describe policies or attitudes that treat adults like children, even when framed as well-meaning.
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