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
Instead, the Islamic Republic survives as a massively unpopular dictatorship, economically ruined, internationally isolated, and battered by both the U.S. and Israel.
—
Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 5 Aug. 2025
This, in turn spawned totalitarian dictatorships and led to World War II.
—Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 29 July 2025
The deadly military dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet in Chile has been over for 35 years, but the after-effects remain.
—David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 July 2025
DeSantis and Trump are turning our country into a police state in order to round up those coming to America fleeing extreme poverty, violence and brutal dictatorships.
—Howard Simon, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for dictatorship
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Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 5 Aug. 2025
This, in turn spawned totalitarian dictatorships and led to World War II.
—Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 29 July 2025
The deadly military dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet in Chile has been over for 35 years, but the after-effects remain.
—David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 July 2025
DeSantis and Trump are turning our country into a police state in order to round up those coming to America fleeing extreme poverty, violence and brutal dictatorships.
—Howard Simon, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 July 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 21 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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