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
These may include African despots as well as someone like Jean-Claude Duvalier, better known as Baby Doc, from the Caribbean nation of Haiti.
From Salon ● Jan. 7, 2024
A revolutionary who opposed the brutal Duvalier dictatorship, Cassagnol later immigrated to the United States in 1960s to keep his family safe.
From Seattle Times ● Jun. 30, 2023
“I am not getting up for Papa Doc Duvalier because I am afraid that if I get up, he will take my throne and will never give it back.”
From "Krik? Krak!" by Edwidge Danticat
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.
