1
as in arbitrary
exercising power or authority without interference by others
a dictatorial leader with total control over people's lives
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in authoritarian
fond of ordering people around
no surprise that the dictatorial manager is highly unpopular among employees
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in arrogant
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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dictatorial
In 2023's The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, the first Hunger Games prequel story, Tom Blyth portrayed a younger version of President Snow, depicted as a Hunger Games mentor who begins rising toward his eventual dictatorial role within Collins' fictional Panem.
28 Years Later is in theaters now.
—
Tommy McArdle, People.com, 21 June 2025
Even his former closest associates now acknowledge that his political efforts have not lasted more than a few weeks or at most a few months, due to his dictatorial approach.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025
Making a dictatorial decision could come back to haunt you as Mars and Uranus clash.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 15 June 2025
The demonstration was one of thousands held across the United States to protest what many saw as the president’s attempt to acquire dictatorial powers.
—David Fleshler, Sun Sentinel, 14 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for dictatorial
Tommy McArdle, People.com, 21 June 2025
Even his former closest associates now acknowledge that his political efforts have not lasted more than a few weeks or at most a few months, due to his dictatorial approach.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025
Making a dictatorial decision could come back to haunt you as Mars and Uranus clash.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 15 June 2025
The demonstration was one of thousands held across the United States to protest what many saw as the president’s attempt to acquire dictatorial powers.
—David Fleshler, Sun Sentinel, 14 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for dictatorial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dictatorial
Adjective
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In some ways, are triple doubles an arbitrary achievement?—
Shane Young,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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Lalami clearly needed a way to get Sara home to end the book, and springing her in this way is consistent with the arbitrary nature of her incarceration and the mercurial behavior of her keepers.—
Book Marks
August 7,
Literary Hub,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The interim government, formed shortly afterward under the leadership of Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, was widely hailed as a new chapter for Bangladesh: a chance to repair years of authoritarian rule, enforced disappearances, corruption and human rights abuses.—
Shamim Chowdhury,
NPR,
5 Aug. 2025
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For any authoritarian regime, political succession is a moment of peril, and for all its strengths, the CCP is no exception.—
TYLER JOST,
Foreign Affairs,
4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Depicting Americans as arrogant, loud, boorish and demeaning of other cultures, the term has stuck and is still mentioned 60-plus years later.—
Jenny Peters,
Oc Register,
4 Aug. 2025
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The most radical overhaul of the tax code in our state’s history would require voter approval in November 2026, and that starts by portraying local governments as cartoonishly arrogant, bloated and unaccountable.—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 July 2025
Adjective
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What was mostly missing was the occasional cool front that pushes out the most oppressive heat and humidity.—
Staff And Wire Reports,
Boston Herald,
10 Aug. 2025
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Philadelphia had 29 days, Washington had 27 days and Baltimore had 24 days where the highest dew point simmered to at least 75 degrees, which even the the weather service office in Tampa calls oppressive, according to weather service data.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
10 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Avoid being domineering, but also avoid being stepped on by someone else.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
25 July 2025
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My Mom Died is a heartbreaking and hilarious recounting of McCurdy’s struggles as a former child actor while dealing with her overbearing, domineering mother.—
Charley Ross,
Glamour,
2 July 2025
Adjective
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This nonfiction account from the Pulitzer-prize winning writer analyzes 21st century autocratic states worldwide, and how democracies can best organize underneath them.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
People.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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Taiwan’s parties, in other words, portray their opponents not just as politically different but as autocratic traitors.—
LEV NACHMAN,
Foreign Affairs,
1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Access to justice too (something often underrated), where you can’t be killed or robbed with impunity, and where you won’t be arbitrarily deprived of your liberty or your freedom of speech by a despotic government.—
Simon Boas
July 23,
Literary Hub,
23 July 2025
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Napoleon, the pig who takes despotic control of the farm following the revolution — voiced with haughty gusto by Seth Rogen — bears an uncanny resemblance to the current occupant of the White House.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
11 June 2025
Adjective
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The tyrannical emperor connected with Atari to debut his 9-foot-tall, multi-piece suit.—
Carlos Rico,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 July 2025
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Since his memorable performance on the Netflix sci-fi show, Quinn has starred alongside Lupita Nyong’o in A Quiet Place: Day One and played a tyrannical emperor in Gladiator II.—
Olivia Singh,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dictatorial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dictatorial. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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