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. 1. a ruler who is not effectively restricted by a constitution, laws, recognized opposition, etc

   2. an absolute, esp tyrannical, ruler

2. (in ancient Rome) a person appointed during a crisis to exercise supreme authority

3. a person who makes pronouncements, as on conduct, fashion, etc, which are regarded as authoritative

4. a person who behaves in an authoritarian or tyrannical manner

Other Word Forms

• dictatress noun

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

Example Sentences

They say former members of the dictator's regime were being targeted with unlawful killings, kidnappings and torture when Mas'ud was abducted from his home by armed men the following year.

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It was a savvy move, copied by monarchs and dictators across the world ever since.

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Five years later it was one of the largest firms in Yugoslavia and on a collision course with Marshal Tito, country's communist dictator.

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As counterintuitive as it may seem, political science shows that would-be dictators need strong public support, especially early in the regimes.

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This was not the work of a lone assassin, the dictator declared; a vast, shadowy opposition conspiracy was responsible.

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Related Words

• authoritarian 
• autocrat 
• commander 
• despot 
• totalitarian 
• tyrant