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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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dictatorial History has shown time after time that once one acquires dictatorial powers, those in other government offices become superfluous. Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 June 2025 They shouldn't be deployed on American soil facing their own countrymen to fulfill the deranged fantasy of a dictatorial President. Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 10 June 2025 Marco Rubio has long been a fierce critic of dictatorial leaders who have stifled speech in their countries and crushed opposition. Suzanne Gamboa, NBC news, 22 Mar. 2025 But voters had a clear choice between Harris’ decency and Trump’s demagoguery, paranoia and dictatorial ideas. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 29 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for dictatorial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dictatorial
Adjective
  • These seemingly arbitrary small items are essentially sweeteners to win over lawmakers who might quibble with the broader thrust of the legislation.
    Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 4 July 2025
  • Regardless, the court continues to find that the government's actions were arbitrary and capricious, in part because the government never bothered to define the problems that would get a grant canceled.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 3 July 2025
Adjective
  • Defending institutions of higher education from increasingly authoritarian measures is an important way to safeguard not only academic freedom, but the legacy of 1776 as well.
    Time, Time, 1 July 2025
  • Even among authoritarian regimes, differences in values can limit cooperation.
    Leon Aron, The Atlantic, 29 June 2025
Adjective
  • Her larger-than-life ego and past as a shaman make Player 044 come off as arrogant and selfish, getting under just about everyone's skin.
    EW.com, EW.com, 4 July 2025
  • In 2022, Ackles joined the cast of Prime Video's The Boys as arrogant superhero Soldier Boy.
    Brianne Tracy, People.com, 4 July 2025
Adjective
  • Since seizing control of Afghanistan in August 2021, the group has implemented a string of oppressive measures against women and girls, even cracking down on the sound of women’s voices in public.
    Catherine Nicholls, CNN Money, 8 July 2025
  • Others reject the portrayal of federal actions as oppressive, suggesting deployments like those in Los Angeles prioritize national security and immigration enforcement.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2025
Adjective
  • My Mom Died is a heartbreaking and funny recounting of Jennette McCurdy’s struggles as a former child actor while dealing with her overbearing, domineering mother.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 1 July 2025
  • The end of season 2 turned the tables on the meek Ada and domineering Agnes when Agnes lost her fortune thanks to her son Oscar (Blake Ritson) trusting the wrong people.
    Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 23 June 2025
Adjective
  • Without any consequences, this autocratic politician will continue to push the limits of his authority beyond the breaking point until someone forces him to stop.
    Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 29 June 2025
  • Iranian meddling in the region has provided Arab dictators such as Syria’s Bashar al-Assad with both the moral and material means to suppress dissent, crush reform, and extend their autocratic rule.
    Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, The Atlantic, 26 June 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • Bernal as a despotic and at times deluded Magellan persuades the Spanish Crown to fund his bold 16th century expedition to the fabled lands of the East, only to unleash a decade of devastation wreaked by European conquistadors in the Pacific as part of colonial conquests.
    Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 3 June 2025
Adjective
  • The regime’s tyrannical efforts to control and extinguish their savings were futile against their newfound freedom money.
    Mauricio Di Bartolomeo, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • In the sequel, Atwood focuses on how tyrannical regimes destroy themselves.
    EW.com, EW.com, 28 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dictatorial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dictatorial. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.

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