Mussolini, Benito

Cultural  

1. An Italian dictator (see dictatorship) of the twentieth century. Mussolini formed a fascist (see fascism) government in Italy in the 1920s and allied Italy with Germany as one of the Axis powers of World War II. Mussolini, known as il Duce (“the leader”), was shot by his Italian opponents near the end of the war.

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Example Sentences

Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, and Francisco Franco had heir faces on stamps, currency, and coins during their respective despotic reigns.

From Slate • Dec. 20, 2025

Among people present was Orsola Mussolini, great-granddaughter of Italy's fascist dictator Benito Mussolini, who supplied crucial military backing to Franco during the civil war alongside Adolf Hitler's Nazi Germany.

From Barron's • Nov. 21, 2025

In Europe, it was fought against Nazi Germany and Adolf Hitler, a tyrant and true monster, and against Italy and Benito Mussolini, a clownish but vile Fascist.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 10, 2025

Benito Mussolini founded the National Fascist Party in Italy and led the country from 1922 until he was overthrown in 1943.

From BBC • Aug. 29, 2025

Premier Mussolini's Endorsement Of Signor Rocco's Speech The following message was sent by Benito Mussolini, the Premier of Italy, to Signor Rocco after he had delivered his speech at Perugia.

From Readings on Fascism and National Socialism Selected by members of the department of philosophy, University of Colorado by Various