noun
Uncommon
dictatorship
dihk-TAY-tuh-shihp
Dictatorship (noun) means a form of government in which one person or small group holds total, unchecked power. Example: “The country fell into a military dictatorship after the coup.”
noun
1
A form of government in which one person or small group holds total, unchecked power.
"The country fell into a military dictatorship after the coup."
"Free elections ended decades of dictatorship."
"Under the dictatorship, newspapers were not allowed to criticise the leader."
2
Any situation or organization run with total, one-sided control.
"He joked that his boss ran the office like a dictatorship."
How to use dictatorship
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRule by one person or small group with total power and no real accountability.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
military dictatorship
live under a dictatorship
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Word forms
- Plural
- dictatorships
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The country fell into a military _____ after the coup.
Etymology
Built from dictator + -ship, following the same pattern as "leadership" or "ownership."
Synonyms
View more →
authoritarianism
totalitarian rule
one-man rule
totalitarianism
Caesarism
Stalinism
monocracy
shogunate
absolutism
autocracy
despotism
tyranny
Related words
Rhymes for dictatorship
See all rhymes for dictatorship →Frequently asked questions
What does “dictatorship” mean?
The word “dictatorship” means a form of government in which one person or small group holds total, unchecked power. In plain terms, rule by one person or small group with total power and no real accountability.
How do you pronounce “dictatorship”?
“Dictatorship” is pronounced dihk-TAY-tuh-shihp (/ˈdɪkteɪtəɹʃɪp/ in IPA).
How do you use “dictatorship” in a sentence?
Here is “dictatorship” used in a sentence: “The country fell into a military dictatorship after the coup.”
What is another word for “dictatorship”?
Words with a similar meaning to “dictatorship” include absolutism, autocracy, despotism and tyranny.
What part of speech is “dictatorship”?
“Dictatorship” is a noun.
Is “dictatorship” a common word?
“Dictatorship” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “dictatorship” have?
“Dictatorship” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a form of government in which one person or small group holds total, unchecked power.
What is the difference between a "dictatorship" and a "democracy"?
A dictatorship is a form of government in which one person or small group holds total, unchecked power, while a democracy distributes power among citizens through elections and institutional checks. In a dictatorship, there are typically no free elections or independent courts to limit the ruler's authority, unlike in a democratic system.
Can the word "dictatorship" be used outside of politics?
Yes, "dictatorship" can describe any situation or organization run with total, one-sided control, even outside government, such as a workplace or household described as run like a dictatorship. This figurative use extends the political meaning to any context of unchecked authority.
What is the difference between "dictatorship" and "totalitarianism"?
"Dictatorship" refers specifically to concentrated, unchecked power held by one person or a small group, while "totalitarianism" describes a broader system that seeks to control nearly all aspects of public and private life, including ideology and culture. Many totalitarian states are also dictatorships, but the terms emphasize different aspects of control.
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