WordGarden.iodictatorship
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /dɪktˈeɪtəʃˌɪp/
US
- /dɪkˈteɪtərˌʃɪp/
Meanings
Noun
a system of government in which one ruler or a small group holds absolute power
absolute or oppressive control over a group, activity, or situation
Beyond the definition
Imagine a school where only the principal makes all the decisions—what you learn, what you wear, even who your friends are. That's a bit like a dictatorship. It's a form of government where power is held by one person or a small group, and they often rule with force and little regard for what people want. Dictatorships aren't just about kings and queens; they can start after a military takeover or after leaders slowly take away limits on their power. Think of it as the opposite of democracy—instead of "power to the people," it's "power to the ruler."
Historically, dictatorships have taken many forms, some lasting for decades, others collapsing quickly. While sometimes appearing stable on the surface, they often rely on fear and suppression to maintain control.
A dictatorship is a form of government in which power is concentrated in the hands of one person (a dictator) or a small group, with few real limits and little accountability. It's more than just strong leadership; it's about power that cannot be easily challenged or removed. Unlike democracies, where citizens have rights and can change leaders through elections and laws, dictatorships often suppress opposition, restrict freedoms like speech and assembly, and control information.
The term "dictatorship" can be used broadly to describe any authoritarian regime, but historically it's been associated with regimes that came to power through force—a military coup, for example—or by gradually dismantling democratic institutions. Think of ancient Rome under Julius Caesar, or more recently, countries like North Korea or Cuba.
However, the word isn't always about political systems. You might say someone is a "dictator" in their own home if they insist on having things exactly their way all the time! This usage implies controlling and uncompromising behavior.
Dictatorships often rely heavily on propaganda to maintain support, create a cult of personality around the leader, and demonize opponents. They may also use secret police forces and surveillance to monitor citizens and suppress dissent. While some dictatorships are brutally oppressive, others might focus more on economic control or ideological conformity.
Ultimately, a dictatorship is defined by its concentration of power in the hands of one entity and the lack of accountability to the governed. It's a system where individual liberties are often sacrificed for the sake of maintaining order—as defined by those in power.
Examples
- 1
Personal history
Her parents grew up under a dictatorship.
- 2
Military rule
After the coup, the country became a military dictatorship.
- 3
Political repression
Opposition parties were banned during the dictatorship.
- 4
Political warning
Some critics fear that the president is pushing the country toward dictatorship.
- Patterntoward dictatorship
in the direction of becoming a dictatorship
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Workplace joke
People in the office joked that the manager was running the team like a dictatorship.
- Patternrun something like a dictatorship
control it in a very strict, unfair way
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
- totalitarianism
- military junta
Contrast
- democracy
- constitutional government
Used with (collocations)
- military dictatorship
- under a dictatorship
- establish a dictatorship
- overthrow a dictatorship
Word family
Explore
- authoritarianism
- civil liberties
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- dictatorshipnoun
Forms
- dictatorshipspluralnoun