shogunate n. + Add to list UK //ʃˈɒɡənˌeɪt// shogu·nate Archaic SynonymsEtymology Synonyms absolutismauthoritarianismcaesarismdespotismdictatorshipmonocracystalinismtotalitarianismtyrannyOrigin From shogun + -ate (forms nouns denoting rank or office).