Synonyms of dictatorship

dictatorship

noun

dik-ˈtā-tər-ˌship 

as in tyranny

a system of government in which the ruler has unlimited power

a revolution that only ended up replacing one dictatorship with another

Synonyms & Similar Words

• tyranny
• fascism
• autocracy
• despotism
• totalitarianism
• authoritarianism
• absolutism
• monarchy
• autarchy
• Caesarism
• totalism
• oppression
• Communism
• czarism
• Nazism
• domination
• monarchism
• monocracy
• Big Brother
• Big Brotherism

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• democracy
• freedom
• self-government
• self-rule
• self-governance
• autonomy
• sovereignty
• self-determination

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of dictatorship

Because Iran is a theocratic dictatorship that routinely arrests and in some cases executes journalists, Western reporters hoping to cover the country must either work clandestinely or submit to government supervision. — James Kirchick, The Atlantic, 29 July 2026

They were invaded in 1982 under orders from Argentina's then-military dictatorship, triggering a 10-week war won by Britain. — CBS News, 29 July 2026

Ortega spoke Sunday at the anniversary of the Sandinista revolution that toppled the Somoza dictatorship in 1979 and first brought him to power. — Anna-Catherine Brigida, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026

The 1978 World Cup edition was played in and won by an Argentina ruled by a military dictatorship that forcibly disappeared thousands of people. — Minky Worden, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026