dictatorship
noun
dic·ta·tor·ship
dik-ˈtā-tər-ˌship 
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
Synonyms
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
Since the peaceful revolution against the Assad dictatorship in 2012, the United States found ways to advance change.
—
Brandon Hoffman, New York Daily News, 16 Jan. 2025
For his part, Rubio kept a serious stance while making his case for the new role and speaking out against dictatorship regimes, but also, kept several exchanges with senators lighter at times.
—Claudia Grisales, NPR, 15 Jan. 2025
Inside and outside the political system, almost everyone opposed the martial law declaration, which brought back memories of the country’s repressive dictatorship that sparked the demonstrations that led to its democratic transition.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2025
In June 1979, when the U.S. still supported the dynastic Somoza dictatorship in Nicaragua, Carter was horrified to see television footage of Somoza’s troops shooting dead an American reporter, ABC’s Bill Stewart, his hands raised at a military checkpoint.
—Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025
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Brandon Hoffman, New York Daily News, 16 Jan. 2025
For his part, Rubio kept a serious stance while making his case for the new role and speaking out against dictatorship regimes, but also, kept several exchanges with senators lighter at times.
—Claudia Grisales, NPR, 15 Jan. 2025
Inside and outside the political system, almost everyone opposed the martial law declaration, which brought back memories of the country’s repressive dictatorship that sparked the demonstrations that led to its democratic transition.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2025
In June 1979, when the U.S. still supported the dynastic Somoza dictatorship in Nicaragua, Carter was horrified to see television footage of Somoza’s troops shooting dead an American reporter, ABC’s Bill Stewart, his hands raised at a military checkpoint.
—Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for dictatorship
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Cite this Entry
“Dictatorship.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dictatorship. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dictatorship
noun
dic·ta·tor·ship
dik-ˈtāt-ər-ˌship
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
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