as in tyranny
a system of government in which the ruler has unlimited power
a revolution that only ended up replacing one dictatorship with another
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Recent Examples of dictatorship
The source material had previously been adapted for the screen in the 1985 movie by late Brazilian director Héctor Babenco (which received four Oscar nominations), set during Brazil’s military dictatorship.
—
Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025
Set during Brazil's military dictatorship in the 1970s, the film tells the story of Eunice, a mother of five who must rebuild her life after her husband Rubens, a politician opposing the regime, is tortured, killed, and listed among the Desaparecidos.
—Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025
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
See all Example Sentences for dictatorship 
Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025
Set during Brazil's military dictatorship in the 1970s, the film tells the story of Eunice, a mother of five who must rebuild her life after her husband Rubens, a politician opposing the regime, is tortured, killed, and listed among the Desaparecidos.
—Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025
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
See all Example Sentences for dictatorship
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dictatorship
Noun
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When Lorne Greene, Richard Hatch, Dirk Benedict, and the rest of their ragtag fugitive fleet fled the Cylon tyranny, one of their first ports of call was the pleasure planet of Carillon for a spot of R&R.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
15 Jan. 2025
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During that terrifying first year of tyranny, Mon Mothma, Saw Gerrera, and Bail Organa face the encroaching darkness.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
14 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Hepburn’s hatred of fascism and the Nazis was especially resonant to people on Reddit.—
Martha Ross,
The Mercury News,
24 Jan. 2025
-
Reviewed by Andrew Moravcsik January/February 2025 Published on In This Review Hitler’s People: The Faces of the Third Reich By Richard J. Evans Save Who would support fascism today?—
Foreign Affairs,
Foreign Affairs,
14 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Washington’s traditional impulse to divide the world into democracies and autocracies obscures a global turn toward nationalism that began with the 2008 financial crisis and led to protectionism, hardening borders, and shrinking growth in many parts of the world.—
Michael Brenes,
Foreign Affairs,
28 Jan. 2025
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His steadfast support for Ukraine and NATO expansion, at a time of creeping autocracy in Europe, was heroic.—
Douglas Brinkley,
CBS News,
19 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Dictatorship.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dictatorship. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
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