“Like an authoritarian” crossword clue

Reveal the answer to see why it works and where this clue has appeared before.STERN is the answer to the New York Times crossword clue “Like an authoritarian”. It was last seen in the puzzle of January 11, 2026, where it runs at 114 Across and fills 5 squares. It crosses 5 other entries in that grid — those are listed below and are the quickest way to confirm the letters you already have.