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

Aggressive, a bit dictatorial’. —Andy Mitten, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026

In 1933, the German Reichstag adopted the Enabling Act, which effectively granted Adolf Hitler dictatorial powers. —ABC News, 9 Mar. 2026

They are aimed at liberty, normalization and everything dictatorial theocracy fears most. —Calev Myers, New York Daily News, 9 Mar. 2026

The film is at its best building tension and showing us just how anxious life is under dictatorial rule. —Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026