dictatorship

dic·ta·tor·ship

noun \dik-ˈtā-tər-ˌship, ˈdik-ˌ\

Definition of DICTATORSHIP

1

: the office of dictator

2

: autocratic rule, control, or leadership

3

a : a form of government in which absolute power is concentrated in a dictator or a small clique b : a government organization or group in which absolute power is so concentrated c : a despotic state

Examples of DICTATORSHIP

1. The country suffered for many years under his dictatorship.
2. His enemies accused him of establishing a dictatorship.

First Known Use of DICTATORSHIP

1542

Related to DICTATORSHIP

Synonyms: absolutism, autarchy, authoritarianism, autocracy, Caesarism, czarism (also tsarism or tzarism), despotism, totalism, totalitarianism, tyranny

Related Words: monarchism, monarchy, monocracy; Big Brother, Big Brotherism, Communism, fascism, Nazism; domination, oppression

Near Antonyms: democracy, self-governance, self-government, self-rule; freedom, self-determination; autonomy, sovereignty (also sovranty)

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Other Government and Politics Terms

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

Rhymes with DICTATORSHIP

accountantship, acquaintanceship, apostleship, apprenticeship, artisanship, assistantship, attorneyship, championship, chancellorship, citizenship, commandership, companionship, containership, cross-ownership, directorship, discipleship, editorship, factory ship, Freudian slip, good-fellowship, guardianship, headmastership, instructorship, landownership, laureateship, managership, median strip, musicianship, ombudsmanship, one-upmanship, outdoorsmanship, overlordship, partisanship, potato chip, professorship, protectorship, receivership, rejection slip, relationship, run a tight ship, shoot from the hip, stiff upper lip, survivorship, treasurership