Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for dictator

dictator

[ dik-tey-ter, dik-tey-ter ]

noun

  1. a person exercising absolute power, especially a ruler who has absolute, unrestricted control in a government without hereditary succession.
  2. (in ancient Rome) a person invested with supreme authority during a crisis, the regular magistracy being subordinated to him until the crisis was met.
  3. a person who authoritatively prescribes conduct, usage, etc.:

    a dictator of fashion.

  4. a person who dictates, as to a secretary.


dictator

/ dɪkˈteɪtə; dɪkˈteɪtrɪs; ˈdɪktətrɪks /

noun

    1. a ruler who is not effectively restricted by a constitution, laws, recognized opposition, etc
    2. an absolute, esp tyrannical, ruler
  1. (in ancient Rome) a person appointed during a crisis to exercise supreme authority
  2. a person who makes pronouncements, as on conduct, fashion, etc, which are regarded as authoritative
  3. a person who behaves in an authoritarian or tyrannical manner
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


Discover More

Derived Forms

  • dictatress, noun:feminine
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of dictator1

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin dictātor, from dictā(re) “to say repeatedly, prescribe, order” ( dictate ) + -tor -tor
Discover More

Example Sentences

In a retirement speech in September 2023, Milley — who worries about being recalled to active duty and court-martialed under a new Trump administration, according to Woodward’s latest book, “War” — offered an indirect commentary widely presumed to refer to the former president: “We don’t take an oath to a king or a queen, to a tyrant or dictator, or wannabe dictator.”

In 2019, Gabbard did also describe Assad as a "brutal dictator".

From BBC

Trump has promised to be a dictator on “day one.”

From Salon

It sounds oxymoronic to call someone an “elected dictator,” but the American people are about to find out it is not.

From Salon

At the request of Egypt's President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi - described by Trump as "my favourite dictator" - then-Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin took charge of mediating Egypt’s dispute with Ethiopia over the Nile waters.

From BBC

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


dictationdictatorial