dictatorial

[ dik-tuh-tawr-ee-uhl, -tohr- ]

adjective

1. of or relating to a dictator or dictatorship.
2. appropriate to, or characteristic of, a dictator; absolute; unlimited:

   dictatorial powers in wartime.

   Synonyms: totalitarian

3. inclined to dictate or command; imperious; overbearing:

   a dictatorial attitude.

   Synonyms: autocratic, tyrannical, despotic

dictatorial

/ ˌdɪktəˈtɔːrɪəl /

adjective

1. of or characteristic of a dictator
2. tending to dictate; tyrannical; overbearing

Derived Forms

• ˌdictaˈtorialness, noun
• ˌdictaˈtorially, adverb

Other Words From

• dicta·tori·al·ly adverb
• dicta·tori·al·ness noun
• nondic·ta·tori·al adjective
• nondic·ta·tori·al·ly adverb
• nondic·ta·tori·al·ness noun
• semi·dicta·tori·al adjective
• semi·dicta·tori·al·ly adverb
• semi·dicta·tori·al·ness noun
• undic·ta·tori·al adjective
• undic·ta·tori·al·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of dictatorial¹

First recorded in 1695–1705; from Latin dictātōri(us) (from dictā(re) “to say repeatedly, order, prescribe” + -tōrius -tory ¹ ) + -al ¹

Example Sentences

Harris, jumping on a string of chilling remarks by Trump, has spent the closing days of the campaign focusing mainly on her rival's dictatorial and vengeful fantasies.

From Salon

“So they’re actively working now to ensure, on a number of levels, that the military will perceive this as dictatorial and therefore not respond to any orders to quell any violence.”

From Salon

“Well, looking at the definition of fascism: It’s a far-right authoritarian, ultranationalist political ideology and movement characterized by a dictatorial leader, centralized autocracy, militarism, forcible suppression of opposition, belief in a natural social hierarchy,” he said.

From Salon

Liberation theology became particularly controversial when priests who followed a radical strand of liberation theology joined revolutionary movements such as the Sandinistas in Nicaragua, who overthrew the dictatorial government of the Somoza family.

From BBC

We've learned over the years, through many reports, memoirs and tell-all books that Trump tried to govern in a dictatorial fashion at every turn but was either too mentally undisciplined to follow through or was held back by people around him who kept him from acting on his worst impulses.

From Salon

Related Words

• absolute
• arbitrary
• arrogant
• autocratic
• dogmatic
• domineering
• haughty
• imperious
• oppressive
• overbearing
• totalitarian