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
… the statutory and constitutional constraints which distinguish a democracy from a dictatorship.—
Center for National Security Studies, et al. v. U.S. Dept. of Justice, 215 F.Supp.2d 94 (2002)
Center for National Security Studies, et al. v. U.S. Dept. of Justice, 215 F.Supp.2d 94 (2002)
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
Under dictatorship until 1974 and long one of Western Europe’s poorest nations, Portugal developed a design ethos rooted in practicality.
—Christine Chitnis, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Apr. 2026
Rafael Montalvo, president of the Brigade 2506 Veterans Association, said the museum will also educate visitors about the harm caused by decades of Communist dictatorship.
—CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
The political thriller, which draws inspiration from Brazil's former military dictatorship, earned Moura a Golden Globe Award (the first Brazilian male actor to do so) and an Oscar nomination for best actor in a leading role.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
In just 13 years, Putin warped Russia’s once-promising constitutional democracy into an authoritarian dictatorship.
—Big Think, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dictatorship
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Christine Chitnis, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Apr. 2026
Rafael Montalvo, president of the Brigade 2506 Veterans Association, said the museum will also educate visitors about the harm caused by decades of Communist dictatorship.
—CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
The political thriller, which draws inspiration from Brazil's former military dictatorship, earned Moura a Golden Globe Award (the first Brazilian male actor to do so) and an Oscar nomination for best actor in a leading role.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
In just 13 years, Putin warped Russia’s once-promising constitutional democracy into an authoritarian dictatorship.
—Big Think, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dictatorship
Cite this Entry
“Dictatorship.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dictatorship. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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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