dictatorial

dic·ta·to·ri·al

adj \ˌdik-tə-ˈtȯr-ē-əl\

Definition of DICTATORIAL

1

a : of, relating to, or befitting a dictator <dictatorial power> b : ruled by a dictator

2

: oppressive to or arrogantly overbearing toward others

— dic·ta·to·ri·al·ly \-ē-ə-lē\ adverb

— dic·ta·to·ri·al·ness noun

Examples of DICTATORIAL

1. He was given dictatorial powers.
2. <a dictatorial leader with total control over people's lives>

First Known Use of DICTATORIAL

1701

Related to DICTATORIAL

Synonyms: arbitrary, autocratic (also autocratical), czarist (also tsarist or tzarist), despotic, absolute, monocratic, tyrannical (also tyrannic), tyrannous

Antonyms: limited

Related Words: authoritarian, jackbooted, oppressive, totalitarian; antidemocratic, antirepublican; high-handed, magisterial; domineering, imperious, masterful; all-powerful, almighty, omnipotent; autonomous, self-governing, self-ruling, sovereign (also sovran); unconditional, unlimited

Near Antonyms: circumscribed, restrained, restricted; constitutional, lawful; democratic, republican

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Synonym Discussion of DICTATORIAL

dictatorial, magisterial, dogmatic, doctrinaire, oracular mean imposing one's will or opinions on others. dictatorial stresses autocratic, high-handed methods and a domineering manner <exercised dictatorial control over the office>. magisterial stresses assumption or use of prerogatives appropriate to a magistrate or schoolmaster in forcing acceptance of one's opinions <the magisterial tone of his pronouncements>. dogmatic implies being unduly and offensively positive in laying down principles and expressing opinions <dogmatic about what is art and what is not>. doctrinaire implies a disposition to follow abstract theories in framing laws or policies affecting people <a doctrinaire approach to improving the economy>. oracular implies the manner of one who delivers opinions in cryptic phrases or with pompous dogmatism <a designer who is the oracular voice of fashion>.

Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism

Rhymes with DICTATORIAL

conductorial, curatorial, directorial, editorial, equatorial, immemorial, incorporeal, janitorial, monitorial, monsignorial, natatorial, piscatorial, preceptorial, professorial, purgatorial, reportorial, senatorial, territorial