dictatorship

noun

dic·​ta·​tor·​ship dik-ˈtā-tər-ˌship How to pronounce dictatorship (audio)
ˈdik-ˌtā-
1
: the office of dictator
2
: autocratic rule, control, or leadership
people suffering under his dictatorship
3
a
: a form of government in which absolute power is concentrated in a dictator or a small clique
Communism and dictatorship
b
: a government organization or group in which absolute power is so concentrated
rising up against a military dictatorship
c
: a despotic state
establishing a dictatorship

Examples of dictatorship in a Sentence

The country suffered for many years under his dictatorship. His enemies accused him of establishing a dictatorship.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The oligarchs in Hungary and Russia support the dictatorship with their monetary gains in return for being allowed to remain billionaires. Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 4 Apr. 2025 The biographical drama is inspired by the lives of Brazilian activist Eunice Paiva and her politician husband Rubens, who was murdered for his dissidence toward the military dictatorship of 1970s Brazil. Edward Segarra, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2025 Our radios are lifelines to people under dictatorship, starved for information, or fed a diet of lies. Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 1 Apr. 2025 Things get serious when one of Tom’s housekeepers is swept up in the military dictatorship. Glenn Kenny, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dictatorship

Word History

Etymology

dictator + -ship, as translation of Latin dictātūra

First Known Use

1542, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dictatorship was in 1542

Cite this Entry

“Dictatorship.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dictatorship. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

dictatorship

noun
dic·​ta·​tor·​ship dik-ˈtāt-ər-ˌship How to pronounce dictatorship (audio)
ˈdik-ˌtāt-
1
: the office of a dictator
2
: rule, control, or leadership by one person with total power
3
: a government or country in which total power is held by a dictator or a small group

More from Merriam-Webster on dictatorship

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