dynast

[ dahy-nast, -nuhst; British also din-ast ]

noun

1. a ruler or potentate, especially a hereditary ruler.

dynast

/ ˈdɪnəst; -æst /

noun

1. a ruler, esp a hereditary one

Word History and Origins

Origin of dynast¹

1625–35; < Latin dynastēs < Greek dynástēs, equivalent to dýnas ( thai ) to rule + -tēs agent suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of dynast¹

C17: from Latin dynastēs, from Greek dunastēs, from dunasthai to be powerful

Example Sentences

“He’s a fifth generation dynast and came with a lot of historical baggage,” the political analyst explains.

From BBC

Whereas once Democrats feared that the political dynast would be a spoiler for Biden, Republicans have since become increasingly anxious that a third-party candidate associated with opposition to the vaccines and the Ukraine war might actually hurt Trump.

From Slate

But just as it appeared that he was shedding Mr. Modi’s tag on him of a entitled dynast, and presenting himself as a credible leader around whom a coalition of skeptical regional allies could unite to challenge Mr. Modi, the B.J.P. bogged him down in a legal challenge.

From New York Times

The dynast Gotabaya Rajapaksa was leading the administration at the time, and he had appointed his brothers and his nephew to his cabinet.

From New York Times

Markey’s self-portrait as a working-class populist against a spoiled, entitled dynast landed in a curious way that says too much about the Democratic Party of 2020 to capture in this modest election night recap.

From Slate

Related Words

• czar
• emperor
• king
• monarch
• shah
• sultan