dictatorship
n.-
1 government system (n.) B2 Upper Intermediatea country or government ruled by a leader with total power.
a state or government under the absolute authority of an individual or a small group, often lacking democratic processes.
ExampleThe country suffered for decades under a brutal military dictatorship.
ExampleThe transition from a long-standing dictatorship to a functioning democracy requires significant institutional reform and the restoration of civil liberties.
- autocracy
- tyranny
- totalitarianism
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2 absolute power (n.) C1 Advanced Formalthe state of having total control over something.
the exercise of absolute sovereignty or autocratic rule within a specific context.
ExampleThe leader maintained a strict dictatorship over every aspect of national life.
ExampleThe constitution was suspended, effectively establishing a dictatorship that bypassed all legislative oversight.
- absolutism
- despotism
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3 strict control in a group (n.) C1 Advanced Informal Humorousa situation where one person in a group or family makes all the rules and does not listen to others.
the metaphorical application of autocratic control to a non-governmental organisation, household, or institution.
ExampleMy older brother ran the household like a dictatorship while our parents were away.
ExampleThe office was managed as a benevolent dictatorship, where the founder made every minor decision without consulting the staff.
From dictator + -ship.