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
… the statutory and constitutional constraints which distinguish a democracy from a dictatorship.—
Center for National Security Studies, et al. v. U.S. Dept. of Justice, 215 F.Supp.2d 94 (2002)
Center for National Security Studies, et al. v. U.S. Dept. of Justice, 215 F.Supp.2d 94 (2002)
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
The banner, more reminiscent of the way leaders are plastered on government buildings in a dictatorship like North Korea, is just the type of gesture the president expects.
—Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 5 Apr. 2026
Fifty years ago, just after the dictatorship of Francisco Franco, about 90% of residents were Catholic.
—Alexis Marshall, NPR, 3 Apr. 2026
Separation of powers and checks and balances were designed to prevent a dictatorship such as existing in a cult.
—Richard Davis, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026
The program, launched in 1975 during the country's military dictatorship, has successfully evolved in democratic times to reduce dependency on foreign oil.
—ABC News, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dictatorship
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Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 5 Apr. 2026
Fifty years ago, just after the dictatorship of Francisco Franco, about 90% of residents were Catholic.
—Alexis Marshall, NPR, 3 Apr. 2026
Separation of powers and checks and balances were designed to prevent a dictatorship such as existing in a cult.
—Richard Davis, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026
The program, launched in 1975 during the country's military dictatorship, has successfully evolved in democratic times to reduce dependency on foreign oil.
—ABC News, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dictatorship
Cite this Entry
“Dictatorship.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dictatorship. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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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