paternalistic

[ puh-tur-nl-is-tik ]

/ pəˌtɜr nlˈɪs tɪk /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR paternalistic ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

(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.

Origin of paternalistic

paternal + -istic

OTHER WORDS FROM paternalistic

pa·ter·nal·is·ti·cal·ly, adverb

Words nearby paternalistic

patent still, pater, paterfamilias, paternal, paternalism, paternalistic, paternity, paternity leave, paternity suit, paternity test, paternoster

Example sentences from the Web for paternalistic

This double standard also seems to be rather flagrantly gender-based—grossly unfair to men and paternalistic toward women.
Harvard Liberals Hate New Campus Sex Laws|Cathy Young|October 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Among the explorers, a state of mind developed that was patronizing and paternalistic.
Gertrude of Arabia, the Woman Who Invented Iraq|Clive Irving|June 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A major problem is that this contact has been paternalistic and poisoned by the myth of racial superiority.
Alex Haley’s 1965 Playboy Interview with Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.|Alex Haley|January 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Gone, he declared, were the “paternalistic practices” that “discourage the need to work for a living.”
Cuba’s Leaders Talk of Reform, but It Doesn’t Add Up to Much|Mac Margolis|October 27, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Paul Ryan: Contraception Mandate Is ‘Paternalistic, Arrogant’
Rick Santorum, Michele Bachmann, and More Sunday Talk|The Daily Beast Video|February 19, 2012|DAILY BEAST
That is precisely the kind of tyranny or liberty that was enjoyed by the victims of the paternalistic laws above described.
Mother Earth, Vol. 1 No. 4, June 1906|Various
Paternalistic control, even when entirely benevolent in intent, is generally harmful in effect.
Government Ownership of Railroads, and War Taxation|Otto H. Kahn
It is always the paternalistic arm of the Government round every little son of Nippon, or the embrace of his family.
The Pacific Triangle|Sydney Greenbie
He might have planned a program of paternalistic propaganda in behalf of the farmers of the county.
How To Write Special Feature Articles|Willard Grosvenor Bleyer
Norway has been in the forefront in this paternalistic movement.
The School System of Norway|David Allen Anderson