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paternalistically

paternalistically

1 8.7
In a way that shows care like a parent while making decisions for others
  • adverb
  • /ˌpætərˈnælɪstɪkli/
  • Formal
translation icon : paternalistamente
  • The teacher acted paternalistically by deciding which projects were best for her students without consulting them.

Examples

  • Then, in the weeks following the peaceful resolution to the event (though not necessarily the various issues raised by it), local news coverage generally resumed its paternalistically colonial pre-seizure character.

    Academic text (2007)
  • At present, there is much criticism regarding government-centered approaches applied top-down and paternalistically in rural development and water management policies.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Who paternalistically believes he can set the timetable for another man's freedom?

  • When I first came to Mexico City as an adult over ten years ago, college teachers and leftists in general treated me paternalistically.

    Academic text (2012)
  • The two parts of the policy are reconcilable only if physicians act paternalistically and decide that a certain quality of life would be unsatisfactory to the patient.

    Academic text (2000)
  • First, a major similarity between the population policies of South Africa and the United States is the paternalistically racist philosophy that underlies and directs them.

    Academic text (1993)
  • The institutional church, paternalistically dictating from afar the structure of parish communities, tended to alienate foreigners.

    Academic text (1997)
  • "My young barbarians," he paternalistically confided in his journal after just three days in Camp Sexton, "are not truthful, honest, or chaste."

    Blog text (14)
  • Because such an outcome could seriously jeopardize their career prospects, a tacit clientelist bargain emerged: danwei managers would treat workers paternalistically, while workers would undertake to be reliable and cooperative.

    Academic text (2014)
  • The black clergy adopted a legalistic approach to orthodoxy that paternalistically relegated parishioners to an underclass incapable of appreciating the finer points of theological law.

    Academic text (1998)

Synonyms

paternally
vspaternalistically
1 6.3

In a caring way like a father who gives advice and looks after people

adds decision making and authority, sometimes limiting others' freedom
smotheringly
vspaternalistically
7.5

In a way that shows too much care and takes away freedom

shows care and makes decisions for others while limiting freedom but with authority

Antonyms

287 1.0

In a way that has no rules or limits

121 2.9

Without help from other people

How Paternalistic

intrusively
1 6.4
paternalistically
  • Formal
1 8.7
protectively
5 3.0

Surface Forms

Morphology

paternalistically = paternalistic (transparent) = paternal + istic + ally

Formed by adding the adverbial suffix '-ally' to the adjective 'paternalistic', a standard and transparent derivation.

Etymology

Paternalistically comes from the Latin root pater, which means 'father' and appears in words like paternity and the English word 'father'. So, to act paternalistically is to behave like a father — being caring but also making decisions for others in a way that can limit their freedom.