dictatorial
Ruling without opposition
Dictatorial describes the manner of a dictator—someone who holds absolute power and tolerates no opposition.
A dictatorial regime rules without democratic checks.
More commonly, dictatorial characterizes domineering behavior: a dictatorial boss, a dictatorial tone.
The word always carries negative connotations of arrogance and inflexibility: She resented his dictatorial attitude about household decisions.
Ruling with absolute authority
- totalitarianDictatorial, all-controlling regime
- despoticExercising absolute authority
- tyrannicalExercising power unjustly
- iron-fistedHarshly authoritarian in control
absolute · draconian · repressive · oppressive · heavy-handed · high-handed · domineering · imperious
Too fond of directing others
- domineeringAggressively asserting control
- overbearingArrogantly dominating in manner
- controllingExerting authority over others
- imperiousArrogantly authoritative
high-handed · peremptory · dogmatic · arrogant · bullying · demanding · forceful · assertive
System of governance
- juntaPost-coup ruling clique
- autocracyRule by one
- oligarchyRule by few
- totalitarianismState controls everything absolutely
one-party · coup · strongman · censorship · propaganda · surveillance · purge · decree
Systematic mistreatment of groups
- repressionUnconscious blocking of thoughts
- suppressionForcible prevention or concealment
- subjugationForcing into submission
- tyrannyOppressive, absolute governance
exploitation · injustice · silencing · intimidation · coercion · crackdown · purge · imprisonment
autocratic
Ruling with absolute authority
- totalitarianDictatorial, all-controlling regime
- despoticExercising absolute authority
- tyrannicalExercising power unjustly
iron-fisted · absolute · draconian · repressive · oppressive · heavy-handed · high-handed · domineering · imperious · overbearing
bossy
Too fond of directing others
- domineeringAggressively asserting control
- overbearingArrogantly dominating in manner
- controllingExerting authority over others
imperious · high-handed · peremptory · dogmatic · arrogant · bullying · demanding · forceful · assertive · pushy
regime
System of governance
totalitarianism · one-party · coup · strongman · censorship · propaganda · surveillance · purge · decree · mandate
persecution
Systematic mistreatment of groups
- repressionUnconscious blocking of thoughts
- suppressionForcible prevention or concealment
- subjugationForcing into submission
tyranny · exploitation · injustice · silencing · intimidation · coercion · crackdown · purge · imprisonment · exile
- bossy traitsdomineering, overbearing, pushy, demanding, controlling
- oppressivestifling, suffocating, smothering, crushing, repressive
- work stylescollaborative, hierarchical, agile, flexible, structured
dictatorialdemocratic
Government by the people
egalitarian · republican · liberal · constitutional · representative
dictatorialhumble
Unassuming about oneself
meek · unassuming · deferential · tolerant · submissive
dictatoriallimited
Restricted in extent
constitutional · lawful · restrained · restricted · circumscribed