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imperial presidency

American  

noun

(sometimes initial capital letters)
  1. a U.S. presidency that is characterized by greater power than the Constitution allows.


Etymology

Origin of imperial presidency

First recorded in 1970–75

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.

See Examples For:

This isn’t because the founders wanted an imperial presidency.

From The Wall Street Journal Nov. 5, 2025

"In Tanzania we have something called an imperial presidency," she said.

From BBC Sep. 24, 2024

This would spur them to open an investigation into Nixon’s imperial presidency and campaign abuses, resulting in a select committee that Irvin would chair—the Watergate Committee.

From Slate Jan. 22, 2023

The term "imperial presidency" was coined by historian Arthur Schlesinger Jr., a Kennedy adviser who published a book by that name in 1973.

From Fox News Dec. 22, 2019

Ron and Nancy Reagan arrived in Washington for a coronation, and gave the country the imperial presidency — at least in style — many had been craving.

From Washington Post Mar. 6, 2016

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