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View synonyms for dictator

dictator

[ dik-tey-ter, dik-tey-ter ]

noun

  1. a person exercising absolute power, especially a ruler who has absolute, unrestricted control in a government without hereditary succession.
  2. (in ancient Rome) a person invested with supreme authority during a crisis, the regular magistracy being subordinated to him until the crisis was met.
  3. a person who authoritatively prescribes conduct, usage, etc.:

    a dictator of fashion.

  4. a person who dictates, as to a secretary.


dictator

/ dɪkˈteɪtə; dɪkˈteɪtrɪs; ˈdɪktətrɪks /

noun

    1. a ruler who is not effectively restricted by a constitution, laws, recognized opposition, etc
    2. an absolute, esp tyrannical, ruler
  1. (in ancient Rome) a person appointed during a crisis to exercise supreme authority
  2. a person who makes pronouncements, as on conduct, fashion, etc, which are regarded as authoritative
  3. a person who behaves in an authoritarian or tyrannical manner


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Derived Forms

  • dictatress, noun:feminine

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Word History and Origins

Origin of dictator1

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin dictātor, from dictā(re) “to say repeatedly, prescribe, order” ( dictate ) + -tor -tor

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Example Sentences

You were basically the guy to do every dictator or crazy character, from Gaddafi and Ahmadinejad to Bin Laden.

And for Larry Flynt, this might be a monumental opportunity to stick it to the dictator the best way he knows how.

And, the Chilbosan would make a hell of a comedy movie; “Fawlty Towers” meets the “Great Dictator.”

He added, “We cannot have a society in which some dictator someplace can start imposing censorship here in the United States.”

MIAMI — Fidel Castro seized power in January 1959 after waging a guerilla war against then-dictator Fulgencio Batista.

The dictator Tubertus Posthumus gained a victory over the qui and Volsci, inconsiderable but noxious enemies of the commonwealth.

Civil war in Paris; barricades erected, and a terrible slaughter of the people; general Cavaignac declared dictator.

Mazzini was made a Triumvir, and henceforth became little less than dictator.

Pallavicino, the pro-dictator, Manin's old co-worker and Garibaldi's friend, courteously appealed to him to leave.

At the head of the group stood Goethe, who was then the dictator of public opinion in esthetic questions.

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