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dictator

[ dik-tey-ter, dik-tey-ter ]
/ ˈdɪk teɪ tər, dɪkˈteɪ tər /
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See synonyms for: dictator / dictators on Thesaurus.com

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

1350–1400; Middle English <Latin dictātor, equivalent to dictā(re) (see dictate) + -tor-tor
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use dictator in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for dictator

dictator
/ (dɪkˈteɪtə) /

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

Derived forms of dictator

dictatress (dɪkˈteɪtrɪs) or dictatrix (ˈdɪktətrɪks), fem n
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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