dictatorial

adjective

dic·​ta·​to·​ri·​al ˌdik-tə-ˈtȯr-ē-əl 

1

a

: of, relating to, or befitting a dictator

dictatorial power

b

: ruled by a dictator

2

: oppressive to or arrogantly overbearing toward others

dictatorially

ˌdik-tə-ˈtȯr-ē-ə-lē 

adverb

dictatorialness noun

Synonyms

• absolute
• arbitrary
• autocratic
• autocratical
• czarist
• tsarist
• tzarist
• despotic
• monocratic
• tyrannical
• tyrannic
• tyrannous

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of dictatorial in a Sentence

He was given dictatorial powers.

a dictatorial leader with total control over people's lives

Recent Examples on the Web

Compared with Russia’s dictatorial tsarist and communist eras and its chaotic decade after the Soviet Union fell, the country had never been so prosperous and so free at the same time. —Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 17 Apr. 2025

Fortunately, the courts have so far blocked this dictatorial impulse. —Steven Greenhut, Orange County Register, 16 Feb. 2025

El Salvador President Nayib Bukele may have found the best description for Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s new approach to dictatorial regimes: a laughing emoji. —Mary Ellen Klas, Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2025

In late March, Ahmad al-Shara, Syria’s new leader, introduced a caretaker government that would supervise the country’s transition from five decades of dictatorial rule. —Jerome Drevon, Foreign Affairs, 11 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin dictātōrius "of a dictator" (derivative of dictātor dictator) + -al entry 1

First Known Use

1587, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for dictatorial

• categorial
• curatorial
• directorial
• editorial
• equatorial
• immemorial
• infusorial
• janitorial
• professorial
• reportorial
• senatorial
• territorial