Dictatorial
adjective
Having or showing a desire to control others in a particularly forceful, absolute manner.
The dictator had a dictatorial leadership style and did not tolerate any opposition.
Often appears as...
- dictatorial leader
- dictatorial regime
adjective
Relating to a government or leader with absolute power, where the people have no right to vote or express an opinion.
The dictatorial government suppressed any form of protest and free speech.
Often appears as...
- dictatorial government
- living under dictatorial rule
Usage tips
Political
adjective
Having or showing a desire to control others in a particularly forceful, absolute manner.
The dictator had a dictatorial leadership style and did not tolerate any opposition.
Often appears as...
- dictatorial leader
- dictatorial regime
adjective
Relating to a government or leader with absolute power, where the people have no right to vote or express an opinion.
The dictatorial government suppressed any form of protest and free speech.
Often appears as...
- dictatorial government
- living under dictatorial rule
Usage tips
Political
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Power Implications
Indicates someone wants to enforce their will on others without room for discussion.
The CEO's dictatorial approach left employees feeling voiceless.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
Has a negative tone; often critiquing someone's leadership or behavior.
His dictatorial tone made the meeting uncomfortable for the team.
Pro Tip 3/3Emotional Weight
Can evoke strong emotions when describing someone's control or leadership style.
Employees rebelled against the dictatorial management.
Pro Tip 1/3Power Implications
Indicates someone wants to enforce their will on others without room for discussion.
The CEO's dictatorial approach left employees feeling voiceless.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
Has a negative tone; often critiquing someone's leadership or behavior.
His dictatorial tone made the meeting uncomfortable for the team.
Pro Tip 3/3Emotional Weight
Can evoke strong emotions when describing someone's control or leadership style.
Employees rebelled against the dictatorial management.
Pro Tip 1/3Power Implications
Indicates someone wants to enforce their will on others without room for discussion.
The CEO's dictatorial approach left employees feeling voiceless.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
Has a negative tone; often critiquing someone's leadership or behavior.
His dictatorial tone made the meeting uncomfortable for the team.
Pro Tip 3/3Emotional Weight
Can evoke strong emotions when describing someone's control or leadership style.
Employees rebelled against the dictatorial management.
Compare with
absoluteauthoritarianautocraticbossydespoticdomineeroppressiveoverbearingtyrannical
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Video examples
Andrew Mwenda: Let's...
Aid is the bad instrument, and do you know why? Because all governments across the world need money to survive. Money is needed for a simple thing like keeping law and order. You have to pay the army and the police to show law and order. And because many of our governments are quite dictatorial,
Video examples
Richard Dawkins on...
when I don't want to be dictatorial and say there should be a law against illogical thinking not that fascist I mean I certainly want to go all the way with with that I'm with the say I'm Richard Fineman who said when I when I
Video examples
The rebel radio that...
In 1932, Indigenous farm workers led an insurrection, but the dictatorial government responded by committing genocide against these communities. From then on, one military dictatorship after another ruled the country
Video examples
Andrew Mwenda: Let's...
Aid is the bad instrument, and do you know why? Because all governments across the world need money to survive. Money is needed for a simple thing like keeping law and order. You have to pay the army and the police to show law and order. And because many of our governments are quite dictatorial,
Video examples
Richard Dawkins on...
when I don't want to be dictatorial and say there should be a law against illogical thinking not that fascist I mean I certainly want to go all the way with with that I'm with the say I'm Richard Fineman who said when I when I
Video examples
The rebel radio that...
In 1932, Indigenous farm workers led an insurrection, but the dictatorial government responded by committing genocide against these communities. From then on, one military dictatorship after another ruled the country
Example 1 of 3
Quote examples
Sergei Lavrov
Russian Diplomat
You either deny terrorists any acceptance in the international life, or you make your double standard policy work the way it has been working - 'I don't like that guy in this country, so we will be calling him a dictator and topple him. This guy in another country also dictatorial, but he's our dictator.
Quote examples
Ron Howard
American Director
I used to feel that I had to be dictatorial in order to be respected, but after I did a couple of TV movies, I began to see that authority came with the job. So I began to relax and let more people into the process, and my work really improved.
Quote examples
Nigel Pearson
English Coach
I treat people fairly. I can't be dictatorial. We have multicultural dressing rooms and what's really important is that you have a way of working that brings the best out of everyone.
Quote examples
Thich Nhat Hanh
Vietnamese Clergyman
Many Communist government officials have a rigid, dictatorial power, but they live in constant suspicion and fear of anything that might undermine the power they have.
Quote examples
James Bovard
Author
There are a lot of benefits representative of government and it is far better than any type of dictatorial system and it is far better than a one-man rule situation.
Quote examples
Mahathir Mohamad
Malaysian Politician
Looking back now, I realise why, as prime minister of Malaysia, I was described as a dictator. There were many things I did which were typically dictatorial.
Quote examples
Tom Stoppard
English Dramatist
One doesn't want one's democracy to behave like a dictatorial or fascistic police. One doesn't.
Quote examples
Barbara Amiel
British Journalist
In a free world there is, alas, more common crime than in a dictatorial system.
Quote examples
Newt Gingrich
American Politician
The courts have become grotesquely dictatorial and far too powerful.
Quote examples
Alanis Morissette
Canadian Musician
Partnership is the way. Dictatorial win-lose is so old-school.
Quote examples
Sergei Lavrov
Russian Diplomat
You either deny terrorists any acceptance in the international life, or you make your double standard policy work the way it has been working - 'I don't like that guy in this country, so we will be calling him a dictator and topple him. This guy in another country also dictatorial, but he's our dictator.
Quote examples
Ron Howard
American Director
I used to feel that I had to be dictatorial in order to be respected, but after I did a couple of TV movies, I began to see that authority came with the job. So I began to relax and let more people into the process, and my work really improved.
Quote examples
Nigel Pearson
English Coach
I treat people fairly. I can't be dictatorial. We have multicultural dressing rooms and what's really important is that you have a way of working that brings the best out of everyone.
Quote examples
Thich Nhat Hanh
Vietnamese Clergyman
Many Communist government officials have a rigid, dictatorial power, but they live in constant suspicion and fear of anything that might undermine the power they have.
Quote examples
James Bovard
Author
There are a lot of benefits representative of government and it is far better than any type of dictatorial system and it is far better than a one-man rule situation.
Quote examples
Mahathir Mohamad
Malaysian Politician
Looking back now, I realise why, as prime minister of Malaysia, I was described as a dictator. There were many things I did which were typically dictatorial.
Quote examples
Tom Stoppard
English Dramatist
One doesn't want one's democracy to behave like a dictatorial or fascistic police. One doesn't.
Quote examples
Barbara Amiel
British Journalist
In a free world there is, alas, more common crime than in a dictatorial system.
Quote examples
Newt Gingrich
American Politician
The courts have become grotesquely dictatorial and far too powerful.
Quote examples
Alanis Morissette
Canadian Musician
Partnership is the way. Dictatorial win-lose is so old-school.
Example 1 of 10
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