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
Synonyms
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
Moreover, the United States made two attempts in recent years — once under President Donald Trump and once under President Biden — to advance democracy against Mr. Maduro’s dictatorship.
—
Editorial Board, Washington Post, 29 July 2024
Biden should be on his knees begging for immunity since his day is coming soon, as the Democratic dictatorship will be crumbling down.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 13 July 2024
The greater backdrop to the story is what happened in Guatemala during the dark years of its many dictatorships, including a genocide in the early ’80s that lead to hundreds of thousands of deaths.
—Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Aug. 2024
How very sad that six justices of the Supreme Court, a number of members of Congress and leaders of the Republican Party want to live in a dictatorship.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 4 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for dictatorship 
Editorial Board, Washington Post, 29 July 2024
Biden should be on his knees begging for immunity since his day is coming soon, as the Democratic dictatorship will be crumbling down.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 13 July 2024
The greater backdrop to the story is what happened in Guatemala during the dark years of its many dictatorships, including a genocide in the early ’80s that lead to hundreds of thousands of deaths.
—Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Aug. 2024
How very sad that six justices of the Supreme Court, a number of members of Congress and leaders of the Republican Party want to live in a dictatorship.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 4 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for dictatorship
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dictatorship.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Dictatorship.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dictatorship. Accessed 17 Sep. 2024.
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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