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

He pointed out that Republicans have dubbed Saturday’s event as “Hate America” rally because, as he put it, “So, just to be clear, peacefully protesting a want-to-be dictator means you hate America.”

Read more on Salon

Democrats denounced the move, including the state's top Democrat Gene Wu, who argued: "Sending armed soldiers to suppress peaceful protests is what kings and dictators do — and Greg Abbott just proved he's one of them."

Read more on BBC

In closing remarks Thursday, plaintiffs' attorney David DiCello said the proceedings had "revealed the secret that an international bank, BNP Paribas, has rescued, shielded, fed and illegally supported the economy of a dictator."

Read more on Barron's

The Syrian dictator's legacy is embedded in the soil here - skeletal remains where crops should be.

Read more on BBC

The President’s strategy of unilateral concessions—listening sympathetically to the Russian dictator’s catalogue of imperialist grievances—hasn’t worked.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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