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
In this country, unlike in dictatorships, people expect to be able to identify law enforcement officers by sight and by badge number.
—William Robiner, Twin Cities, 15 Feb. 2026
Set in 1958 Paraguay, the film follows a charismatic musician who becomes both a sensation and a symbol of freedom under military dictatorship.
—Callum McLennan, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026
Other research has found that remittances can undermine dictatorships by helping fund opposition activities.
—Michael Paarlberg, The Conversation, 12 Feb. 2026
Both address the consequences of Brazil’s murderous 21-year military dictatorship.
—Lisa Rosen, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dictatorship
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William Robiner, Twin Cities, 15 Feb. 2026
Set in 1958 Paraguay, the film follows a charismatic musician who becomes both a sensation and a symbol of freedom under military dictatorship.
—Callum McLennan, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026
Other research has found that remittances can undermine dictatorships by helping fund opposition activities.
—Michael Paarlberg, The Conversation, 12 Feb. 2026
Both address the consequences of Brazil’s murderous 21-year military dictatorship.
—Lisa Rosen, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 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 20 Feb. 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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