dictatorial

[dik-tuh-tawr-ee-uhl, -tohr-]

adjective

1. of or relating to a dictator or dictatorship.

2. appropriate to, or characteristic of, a dictator; absolute; unlimited.

   dictatorial powers in wartime.

   Synonyms: totalitarian

3. inclined to dictate or command; imperious; overbearing.

   a dictatorial attitude.

   Synonyms: autocratic, tyrannical, despotic

dictatorial

/ ˌdɪktəˈtɔːrɪəl /

adjective

1. of or characteristic of a dictator

2. tending to dictate; tyrannical; overbearing

Other Word Forms

• dictatorialness noun
• dictatorially adverb
• nondictatorial adjective
• nondictatorially adverb
• nondictatorialness noun
• semidictatorial adjective
• semidictatorially adverb
• semidictatorialness noun
• undictatorial adjective
• undictatorially adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of dictatorial¹

First recorded in 1695–1705; from Latin dictātōri(us) (from dictā(re) “to say repeatedly, order, prescribe” + -tōrius -tory ¹ ) + -al ¹

Example Sentences

But officials said the departure of a drug vessel from Venezuela makes Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela’s dictatorial president labeled by the White House as a top drug kingpin, indirectly responsible.

From Los Angeles Times

Each day, his autocratic power and dictatorial aspirations continue to grow.

From Salon

Away from the praise and the bright lights, however, members of the congregation described Brain as "manipulative and dictatorial".

From BBC

Under the dictatorial rule of then-FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover, the agency surveilled, wiretapped and harassed King and other Black leaders relentlessly during his lifetime.

From Salon

“The current administration and the cabinet are really behaving, you know, in a way that dictatorial regimes do, and that is really worrying us,” Tiwana said.

From Salon

Related Words

• absolute 
• arbitrary 
• arrogant 
• autocratic 
• dogmatic 
• domineering 
• haughty 
• imperious 
• oppressive 
• overbearing 
• totalitarian