as in tyrant
a person who uses power or authority in a cruel, unjust, or harmful way
the dictator had a fierce stranglehold on the country, keeping its people in poverty and ignorance
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Recent Examples of dictator
In two crises, Cincinnatus was appointed dictator of Rome: after the crises were concluded, he was reputed to have retired to a simple life on his farm.
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Roger Huang, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025
So why is democracy so bad, and why would having a dictator solve the problem?
—David Marchese, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2025
The incoming Trump administration wants regime change in Venezuela, where dictator Nicolás Maduro stole his election, jailed a rival and this month even threatened to invade the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico.
—Marc Caputo, Axios, 18 Jan. 2025
Biden, at first, seemed to recognize this, criticizing Trump’s penchant for dictators and pledging to create a stronger alliance among democracies.
—Sarah Yager, Foreign Affairs, 14 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for dictator 
Roger Huang, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025
So why is democracy so bad, and why would having a dictator solve the problem?
—David Marchese, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2025
The incoming Trump administration wants regime change in Venezuela, where dictator Nicolás Maduro stole his election, jailed a rival and this month even threatened to invade the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico.
—Marc Caputo, Axios, 18 Jan. 2025
Biden, at first, seemed to recognize this, criticizing Trump’s penchant for dictators and pledging to create a stronger alliance among democracies.
—Sarah Yager, Foreign Affairs, 14 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for dictator
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Cite this Entry
“Dictator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dictator. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
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