# dictatorship

/dɪkˈteɪtɝˌʃɪp/ (US) · /dɪktˈeɪtəʃˌɪp/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/dictatorship
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. government system

noun · CEFR B2

a country or government ruled by a leader with total power.

For teachers: a state or government under the absolute authority of an individual or a small group, often lacking democratic processes.

- The country suffered for decades under a brutal military dictatorship.
- The transition from a long-standing dictatorship to a functioning democracy requires significant institutional reform and the restoration of civil liberties.

### 2. absolute power

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the state of having total control over something.

For teachers: the exercise of absolute sovereignty or autocratic rule within a specific context.

- The leader maintained a strict dictatorship over every aspect of national life.
- The constitution was suspended, effectively establishing a dictatorship that bypassed all legislative oversight.

### 3. strict control in a group

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · Humorous

a situation where one person in a group or family makes all the rules and does not listen to others.

For teachers: the metaphorical application of autocratic control to a non-governmental organisation, household, or institution.

- My older brother ran the household like a dictatorship while our parents were away.
- The office was managed as a benevolent dictatorship, where the founder made every minor decision without consulting the staff.

## Examples

- The country suffered for decades under a brutal dictatorship.
- After the military coup, the new regime quickly transformed the young democracy into a strict dictatorship.
- Historians often distinguish between a military dictatorship, where the army holds power, and a personality cult where a single charismatic individual dominates every aspect of the state.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.