dictatorial

adjective

dic·​ta·​to·​ri·​al ˌdik-tə-ˈtȯr-ē-əl How to pronounce dictatorial (audio)
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 adverb
dictatorialness noun
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 That protest was rooted in concerns by some in Charlotte’s Eritrean community that the government of the African nation is a repressive, dictatorial regime, an activist told the Observer. Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 27 Feb. 2024 Now the government will have nearly dictatorial power. Jo-Ann Mort, The New Republic, 26 July 2023 Meanwhile, dictatorial rule until Francisco Franco’s death in 1975 did little to bolster Spain’s image as a tourism destination. Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 19 Feb. 2024 Here was a man who in 1799, when just 30 years old, seized dictatorial power in a coup and five years later crowned himself emperor of the French. David A. Bell, WSJ, 9 Nov. 2023 Treated like factory workers, the settlers began to act like factory workers, finding reasons to fault their manager, the rather dictatorial Faul, and falling into factions. Amity Shlaes, National Review, 10 Jan. 2024 Washington, after all, limited the technological reach of a dictatorial regime without having to use force. Paul Krugman, Foreign Affairs, 6 Dec. 2023 In an interview on Fox News, Trump’s reliable friend and promoter Sean Hannity offered the former President a chance to dismiss the growing public alarm over his dictatorial aspirations as just so much whinging by the liberal media. Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 7 Dec. 2023 Creatives are particular targets of Iran’s dictatorial government whose uneven rule follows an extreme interpretation of the tenets of Islam. Lily Moayeri, Spin, 8 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dictatorial.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of dictatorial was in 1587

Dictionary Entries Near dictatorial

Cite this Entry

“Dictatorial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dictatorial. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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