Synonyms of dictatorial

dictatorial

adjective

ˌdik-tə-ˈtȯr-ē-əl 

1

as in authoritarian

exercising power or authority without interference by others

a dictatorial leader with total control over people's lives

Synonyms & Similar Words

• authoritarian
• oppressive
• arbitrary
• autocratic
• despotic
• tyrannical
• domineering
• tyrannous
• czarist
• totalitarian
• absolute
• monocratic
• antidemocratic
• imperious
• sovereign
• magisterial
• autonomous
• omnipotent
• jackbooted
• all-powerful
• high-handed
• unconditional
• almighty
• masterful
• antirepublican
• unlimited
• self-governing
• self-ruling

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• limited
• constitutional
• democratic
• restricted
• lawful
• restrained
• republican
• circumscribed

2

as in domineering

fond of ordering people around

no surprise that the dictatorial manager is highly unpopular among employees

Synonyms & Similar Words

• authoritarian
• domineering
• arrogant
• autocratic
• despotic
• tyrannical
• authoritative
• bossy
• overbearing
• aggressive
• tyrannous
• imperious
• proud
• commanding
• masterful
• controlling
• peremptory
• imperial
• stern
• regimental
• supercilious
• important
• haughty
• superior
• arbitrary
• uppity
• high-and-mighty
• pretentious
• assumptive
• presumptuous
• disdainful
• directorial
• magisterial
• overweening
• narcissistic
• high-hat
• huffy
• assertive
• high-handed
• lordly
• dictating
• omnipotent
• lofty
• all-powerful
• uppish
• pompous
• conceited
• highfalutin
• vain
• fastuous
• toplofty
• almighty
• imperative
• self-asserting
• presuming
• self-assertive
• firm

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• humble
• modest
• meek
• obedient
• unassuming
• docile
• amenable
• tractable
• passive
• indecisive
• submissive
• compliant
• irresolute
• yielding
• acquiescent
• resigned

3

as in arbitrary

having or showing a tendency to force one's will on others without any regard to fairness or necessity

even the teachers chafed under the dictatorial rule of the principal

Synonyms & Similar Words

• arbitrary
• arrogant
• authoritarian
• dominant
• unfair
• domineering
• imperious
• inconsistent
• unreasonable
• willful
• high-handed
• peremptory
• totalitarian
• autocratic
• unjust
• despotic
• tyrannical
• commanding
• overbearing
• haughty
• unequal
• demanding
• partisan
• capricious
• erratic
• mercurial
• presumptuous
• whimsical
• imperative
• tyrannous
• inequitable
• masterful
• unscrupulous
• unrealistic
• unprincipled
• biased
• lordly
• changeable
• unethical
• unconscionable
• prejudiced

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• equitable
• equal
• impartial
• disinterested
• fair
• dispassionate
• objective
• balanced
• reasonable
• evenhanded
• rational
• just
• nonpartisan
• moral
• understanding
• unbiased
• ethical
• unprejudiced
• honorable
• principled
• irreproachable
• unimpeachable
• law-abiding

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective dictatorial contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of dictatorial are doctrinaire, dogmatic, magisterial, and oracular. While all these words 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

When is doctrinaire a more appropriate choice than dictatorial?

While the synonyms doctrinaire and dictatorial are close in meaning, doctrinaire implies a disposition to follow abstract theories in framing laws or policies affecting people.

a doctrinaire approach to improving the economy

When would dogmatic be a good substitute for dictatorial?

The words dogmatic and dictatorial are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, dogmatic implies being unduly and offensively positive in laying down principles and expressing opinions.

dogmatic about what is art and what is not

When could magisterial be used to replace dictatorial?

The meanings of magisterial and dictatorial largely overlap; however, 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

When can oracular be used instead of dictatorial?

The words oracular and dictatorial can be used in similar contexts, but 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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of dictatorial

As pointed out by Cox, Zagallo was only brought in as manager in the March of 1970 after his predecessor, Saldanha, had fallen out with Brazil’s dictatorial president Emilio Medici. — Will Jeanes, New York Times, 20 June 2026

Perhaps, no seriously, this is the continuation of the overshadowing dictatorial style coming from Washington, as evidenced flowing through the Paramount takeover of CBS and the subsequent displacement of other highly qualified CBS talent. — Chicago Tribune, 7 June 2026

Yet, the courage and determination of lawyers who insist upon proper enforcement of the law, even in corrupt and dictatorial regimes, stand as their own form of powerful dissent. — Irwin Cotler, Time, 8 May 2026

Leavitt also pointed to rhetoric from Democrats and others in the media, claiming that their rhetoric accusing the president of being a dictatorial figure contributed to an environment that inspired political violence. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 27 Apr. 2026