paternalistic

paternalistic — adjective

1. describes a person or system in power — such as a leader, a government, or a man

1.形容詞C1
釋義

describes a person or system in power — such as a leader, a government, or a manager — who controls what others can do and limits their choices, often while saying they are acting for the other people's own good or benefit.

例句

Kwame left because he could not accept the company's paternalistic rules about spending his own bonus.

paternalistic + noun (rules) — workplace context

The colonial government's paternalistic policies assumed local people were not ready to govern themselves.

paternalistic + noun (policies) — political discourse

同義詞
  • patronizing

    more clearly negative; implies treating someone as less intelligent, not just less experienced

  • overprotective

    less formal, more personal; often used about family rather than institutions

  • authoritarian

    emphasises strict rule and punishment; lacks the 'caring' component of paternalistic

  • condescending

    focuses on a superior tone or attitude rather than on controlling decisions

反義詞
  • empowering

    giving people the freedom and confidence to make their own choices

  • hands-off

    describes a leader who does not interfere or control others' decisions

文法句型

paternalistic + noun (attitude/approach/policies/rules)

describe + noun phrase + as + paternalistic

用法筆記

Frequently used in formal or critical writing about government, corporate management, and social policy. The word carries a mildly negative connotation: it suggests that the authority figure's actions, though perhaps well-meaning, treat adults like children who cannot make sensible decisions for themselves. Unlike 'authoritarian', which implies strict rule and punishment, 'paternalistic' implies a false kindness that still removes people's freedom.

常見錯誤

❌My father was very paternalistic when I was a child.
✅My father's paternalistic attitude about my career continued even after I turned thirty.
💡'paternalistic' implies controlling behaviour that limits an adult's autonomy; simply being caring or protective as a parent toward a young child is not the same thing.