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
… the statutory and constitutional constraints which distinguish a democracy from a dictatorship.—
Center for National Security Studies, et al. v. U.S. Dept. of Justice, 215 F.Supp.2d 94 (2002)
Center for National Security Studies, et al. v. U.S. Dept. of Justice, 215 F.Supp.2d 94 (2002)
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
Many Florida Hispanics from Cuba and South America vote Republican after fleeing socialist or communist dictatorships.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 17 May 2026
When Brazil’s military dictatorship cuts a major highway through Yanomami land in the mid ‘70s, her images become an act of resistance and a turning point in her life, Maria Farinha Filmes said Thursday.
—Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 15 May 2026
There is no defense for this brazen act of dictatorship, and courts should reach that conclusion fairly quickly so elections can get back on track.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 May 2026
Inés, the lead character, was born in the final years of the dictatorship.
—Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for dictatorship
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Zac Anderson, USA Today, 17 May 2026
When Brazil’s military dictatorship cuts a major highway through Yanomami land in the mid ‘70s, her images become an act of resistance and a turning point in her life, Maria Farinha Filmes said Thursday.
—Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 15 May 2026
There is no defense for this brazen act of dictatorship, and courts should reach that conclusion fairly quickly so elections can get back on track.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 May 2026
Inés, the lead character, was born in the final years of the dictatorship.
—Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for dictatorship
Cite this Entry
“Dictatorship.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dictatorship. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
