Duvalier
Americannoun
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François Papa Doc, 1907–71, Haitian physician and dictator: president 1957–71.
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his son Jean-Claude Baby Doc, 1951–2014, Haitian political leader: president 1971–86.
noun
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François (frɑ̃swa), known as Papa Doc. 1907–71, president of Haiti (1957–71)
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his son, Jean-Claude (ʒɑ̃klod), known as Baby Doc. born 1951, Haitian statesman; president of Haiti 1971–86; deposed; lived in exile in France before returning to Haiti in 2011
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Unlike past dictators such as Ferdinand Marcos of the Philippines or Haiti’s Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier, Maduro has limited options.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 26, 2025
The younger Duvalier was forced into exile in 1986, but gangs have continued to exert varying degrees of power, sometimes shielded and encouraged by the politicians with whom they forged alliances.
From BBC • Mar. 4, 2024
Which country was ruled by dictators called “Papa Doc” Duvalier and “Baby Doc” Duvalier?
From Slate • Jun. 14, 2023
The bloody regime of Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier, who fled the country in 1986, marked the last time Haiti lacked elected officials.
From Seattle Times • Jan. 10, 2023
In the partying the night Duvalier left, some-body leaned too hard against our house, and a wall fell in.
From "Taste of Salt: A Story of Modern Haiti" by Frances Temple
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
