1. treating people in a fatherly way, especially by making decisions for them rather than letting them take responsibility for their own lives
Usage: often implies limiting freedom for someone’s supposed benefit

Examples

• The company’s paternalistic policies included mandatory health screenings for all employees.
• Critics argued that the new welfare system was too paternalistic and didn’t give people enough choice.
• His paternalistic attitude toward his adult children frustrated them greatly.
• The government’s paternalistic approach to public health included banning certain foods.
• She rejected her boss’s paternalistic offer to handle the difficult client meeting for her.
• The paternalistic management style made employees feel like they weren’t trusted to make decisions.