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View synonyms for paternalistic

paternalistic

[ puh-tur-nl-is-tik ]

adjective

  1. (of governance, management, or behavior) based in a system positing that authority knows best; outwardly benevolent, but often in a condescending or controlling way:

    In the paternalistic model of medicine, the doctor adopts the role of decision-maker and dictates what would be best for the patient.

    We sought a less paternalistic and more enabling role for the school board, one guided by community engagement and support.



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Other Words From

  • pa·ter·nal·is·ti·cal·ly adverb

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Word History and Origins

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Example Sentences

People who belong to that very community wouldn’t need that paternalistic Child comparison to understand Jaffrey’s worth.

From Eater

Unlike its “paternalistic” predecessor, Díaz said, the new constitution expanded individual rights, emphasized “the respect of human dignity” and underscored the separation of church and state.

It also launched a successful challenge to paternalistic corporate management by Wall Street raiders and traders demanding higher returns.

This is a paternalistic approach that does not help build trust in the government and public health authorities among poorer communities.

Gender discrimination reflected paternalistic notions of female frailty.

This double standard also seems to be rather flagrantly gender-based—grossly unfair to men and paternalistic toward women.

Among the explorers, a state of mind developed that was patronizing and paternalistic.

Yet the activists, for all their feminist rhetoric, are indeed promoting a disturbingly paternalistic view of women.

A major problem is that this contact has been paternalistic and poisoned by the myth of racial superiority.

Gone, he declared, were the “paternalistic practices” that “discourage the need to work for a living.”

It is always the paternalistic arm of the Government round every little son of Nippon, or the embrace of his family.

That is precisely the kind of tyranny or liberty that was enjoyed by the victims of the paternalistic laws above described.

Royall's sincere interest in the welfare of black soldiers, albeit highly paternalistic, was not in question.

Norway has been in the forefront in this paternalistic movement.

He might have planned a program of paternalistic propaganda in behalf of the farmers of the county.

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