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

• arbitrary
• authoritarian
• oppressive
• autocratic
• tyrannic
• despotic
• tyrannical
• domineering

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

Trump is unconventional, but not dictatorial. —Nicole Russell, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025

The meeting was especially notable considering Putin’s long-standing backing of Al-Sharaa’s predecessor, Bashar al-Assad, whose dictatorial regime was ousted by rebel forces in December. —Catherine Nicholls, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2025

The film tells the story of political prisoner Luis Molina (Tonatiuh), a man imprisoned for his homosexuality under a dictatorial regime in 1980s Argentina. —Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Oct. 2025

Republicans themselves are still largely satisfied with how Trump’s second term is unfolding and that’s despite the many attacks on the Constitution, the widespread corruption, and the dictatorial agenda. —Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 8 Oct. 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