dictatorship
noun
dic·ta·tor·ship
dik-ˈtā-tər-ˌship 
ˈdik-ˌtā-
1
: the office of dictator
2
: autocratic rule, control, or leadership
people suffering under his dictatorship
3
a
: a form of government in which absolute power is concentrated in a dictator or a small clique
Communism and dictatorship
b
: a government organization or group in which absolute power is so concentrated
rising up against a military dictatorship
c
: a despotic state
establishing a dictatorship
Examples of dictatorship in a Sentence
The country suffered for many years under his dictatorship.
His enemies accused him of establishing a dictatorship.
Recent Examples on the Web
Miami Dade College also owns the Freedom Tower, an iconic building that once welcomed Cubans fleeing the Fidel Castro dictatorship.
—
Douglas Hanks, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 June 2025
The order bars entry for most applicants seeking tourist, student and business visas, further narrowing the few remaining legal pathways for families torn apart by dictatorship, displacement and economic collapse.
—Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 5 June 2025
My fear comes from Donald Trump wanting to end our democracy and create a dictatorship.
—Chicago Tribune, 30 May 2025
That controversy brought back dark memories of military dictatorship, as well as tens of thousands of South Koreans onto the street.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for dictatorship
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Douglas Hanks, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 June 2025
The order bars entry for most applicants seeking tourist, student and business visas, further narrowing the few remaining legal pathways for families torn apart by dictatorship, displacement and economic collapse.
—Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 5 June 2025
My fear comes from Donald Trump wanting to end our democracy and create a dictatorship.
—Chicago Tribune, 30 May 2025
That controversy brought back dark memories of military dictatorship, as well as tens of thousands of South Koreans onto the street.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for dictatorship
Cite this Entry
“Dictatorship.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dictatorship. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dictatorship
noun
dic·ta·tor·ship
dik-ˈtāt-ər-ˌship
ˈdik-ˌtāt-
1
: the office of a dictator
2
: rule, control, or leadership by one person with total power
3
: a government or country in which total power is held by a dictator or a small group
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