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
Communism and dictatorship
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
As Chile’s dictatorship nears its end, 15-year-old Celeste’s beach holiday turns tragic, fracturing her family and childhood.
—
Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 16 Aug. 2025
Trump has rescinded most such permits, including those that were given to Cubans, Venezuelans, Nicaraguans and other people fleeing from dictatorships.
—Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2025
At the time, Korea was under a military dictatorship, which was overthrown in 1987.
—Kayti Burt, Time, 15 Aug. 2025
This was true of monarchies, which were fiercely contested by major Enlightenment movements, and later of dictatorships, which defined much of the 20th century and continue to shape the lives of billions today in various parts of the world.
—Davide Sartini, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dictatorship
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Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 16 Aug. 2025
Trump has rescinded most such permits, including those that were given to Cubans, Venezuelans, Nicaraguans and other people fleeing from dictatorships.
—Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2025
At the time, Korea was under a military dictatorship, which was overthrown in 1987.
—Kayti Burt, Time, 15 Aug. 2025
This was true of monarchies, which were fiercely contested by major Enlightenment movements, and later of dictatorships, which defined much of the 20th century and continue to shape the lives of billions today in various parts of the world.
—Davide Sartini, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dictatorship
Cite this Entry
“Dictatorship.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dictatorship. Accessed 26 Aug. 2025.
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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