antiauthority
Opposing established power
Antiauthority describes opposition to established power structures or those who hold institutional control.
Someone with an antiauthority streak resists rules, hierarchy, or official mandates: His antiauthority attitude got him expelled from three schools.
The term applies to movements, personalities, or cultural works that challenge conventional power: punk's antiauthority ethos.
Seeking fundamental systemic change
- anarchistOne opposing all governance
- insurgentOne who revolts
- dissidentOpposer of established systems
- radicalRoot-indicating symbol
subversive · iconoclast · maverick · agitator · nonconformist · renegade · mutineer · insurrectionist
Public expression of disapproval
- oppositionActive resistance or dissent
- objectionExpression of disapproval
- criticismJudgment of faults
- dissidenceOpposition to prevailing views
contestation · challenge · activism · boycott · demonstration · rally · march · petition
Capacity to withstand force
- disobedienceRefusal to follow orders
- insubordinationDefying workplace authority
- noncomplianceFailure to follow requirements
- rebellionDefiance of established power
recalcitrance · contumacy · unruliness · mutiny · obstinacy · willfulness · intractability · insurgence
Freedom from external control
- self-governanceIndependent management of affairs
- self-determinationControl over one's fate
- sovereigntySupreme independent authority
- decentralizationDistributing power from center
self-rule · liberty · empowerment · self-reliance · individualism · self-direction · self-management · free will
Absence of confidence
- suspicionSense of unease about motives
- questioningSeeking answers through inquiry
- cynicismDistrust of human sincerity
- doubtLack of firm belief
scrutiny · disbelief · antigovernment · mistrust · wariness · incredulity · watchdog · accountability
revolutionary
Seeking fundamental systemic change
radical · subversive · iconoclast · maverick · agitator · nonconformist · renegade · mutineer · insurrectionist · guerrilla
protest
Public expression of disapproval
- oppositionActive resistance or dissent
- objectionExpression of disapproval
- criticismJudgment of faults
dissidence · contestation · challenge · activism · boycott · demonstration · rally · march · petition · outcry
resistance
Capacity to withstand force
- disobedienceRefusal to follow orders
- insubordinationDefying workplace authority
- noncomplianceFailure to follow requirements
rebellion · recalcitrance · contumacy · unruliness · mutiny · obstinacy · willfulness · intractability · insurgence · civil disobedience
independence
Freedom from external control
- self-governanceIndependent management of affairs
- self-determinationControl over one's fate
- sovereigntySupreme independent authority
decentralization · self-rule · liberty · empowerment · self-reliance · individualism · self-direction · self-management · free will · nonconformity
distrust
Absence of confidence
- suspicionSense of unease about motives
- questioningSeeking answers through inquiry
- cynicismDistrust of human sincerity
doubt · scrutiny · disbelief · antigovernment · mistrust · wariness · incredulity · watchdog · accountability · transparency
antiauthorityauthoritarian
Favoring absolute control
authority · obedient · deferential · submissive · compliant
antiauthorityauthoritarian
Favoring absolute control
statist · totalitarian · fascist · autocratic · despotic
antiauthorityauthoritarian
Favoring absolute control
authority · deferential · obedient · submissive · statist