dictatorial

[ dik-tuh-tawr-ee-uhl, -tohr- ]

adjective

1. of or relating to a dictator or dictatorship.
2. appropriate to, or characteristic of, a dictator; absolute; unlimited:

   dictatorial powers in wartime.

   Synonyms: totalitarian

3. inclined to dictate or command; imperious; overbearing:

   a dictatorial attitude.

   Synonyms: autocratic, tyrannical, despotic

dictatorial

/ ˌdɪktəˈtɔːrɪəl /

adjective

1. of or characteristic of a dictator
2. tending to dictate; tyrannical; overbearing

Derived Forms

• ˌdictaˈtorialness, noun
• ˌdictaˈtorially, adverb

Other Words From

• dicta·tori·al·ly adverb
• dicta·tori·al·ness noun
• nondic·ta·tori·al adjective
• nondic·ta·tori·al·ly adverb
• nondic·ta·tori·al·ness noun
• semi·dicta·tori·al adjective
• semi·dicta·tori·al·ly adverb
• semi·dicta·tori·al·ness noun
• undic·ta·tori·al adjective
• undic·ta·tori·al·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of dictatorial¹

First recorded in 1695–1705; from Latin dictātōri(us) (from dictā(re) “to say repeatedly, order, prescribe” + -tōrius -tory ¹ ) + -al ¹

Example Sentences

The game opens with dictatorial President Antón Castillo delivering a televised address to Yara, a faux-Cuban paradise saddled with a history of political upheaval.

From Ars Technica

The same Tunisian protesters who brought down Ben Ali and instituted democracy and have now forced the resignation of their prime minister are unlikely to put up with dictatorial edicts from a new leader for too long.

From Ozy

Embezzlement and corruption are considerably more common in dictatorial governments than they are in democracies.

From Washington Post

As it became clear that his followers did not control the streets, however, the rest of his presidency became one protracted attempt to build a dictatorial authority that was eventually frustrated by the elections.

From Time

In 2017, she called the Democratic National Committee “dictatorial” after a delegation of protesters, led by her, was not allowed into its headquarters.

From Washington Post

What it endangers is a narrow conception of Russian power, understood through the eyes of its dictatorial leader.

From The Daily Beast

It invites dictatorial and rogue regimes to use Americans serving overseas as bargaining chips.

From The Daily Beast

The strongest, frankly dictatorial authority figure I have known would look at me blankly, unable to make even simple decisions.

From The Daily Beast

In 2005, Galloway called Assad a “breath of fresh air” after years of dictatorial regimes in the country.

From The Daily Beast

Two weeks before we opened at Sundance, Morsi was grabbing dictatorial powers.

From The Daily Beast

The climax was reached when a most offensive policeman in a dictatorial manner ordered me to 'Move on.'

From Project Gutenberg

And in enforcing this cardinal truth he is dogmatic and dictatorial, as a prophet and ambassador of the Most High should be.

From Project Gutenberg

If anything, she was more haughty, more dictatorial than ever.

From Project Gutenberg

The world may be wanting in scientific knowledge and acumen, but it will never submit to dictatorial science.

From Project Gutenberg

This extraordinary heresy soon gathered such head that Pragam was appointed Regent and invested with almost dictatorial powers.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• absolute
• arbitrary
• arrogant
• autocratic
• dogmatic
• domineering
• haughty
• imperious
• oppressive
• overbearing
• totalitarian