heads of state
Countries' top officials
Heads of state is the plural of head of state—the official who represents a nation in formal and ceremonial matters.
In some countries, the head of state holds real power (the U.S. president); in others, the role is largely symbolic (the British monarch).
Heads of state gathered for the summit.
Distinguished from heads of government, who run day-to-day affairs.
Elected leader of nation
- prime ministerLeader of a parliamentary state
- chancellorSenior administrative official
- premierFirst in importance
- emperorMale ruler of empire
king · queen · sultan · monarch · regent · czar · shah · pharaoh
Power to enforce obedience
- dictatorRuler with total control
- autocratSole wielder of power
- tyrantCruel, absolute ruler
- strongmanPowerful lifter or despot
despot · totalitarian · regime · coup · junta · martial law · emergency powers · absolute power
Supreme in power
- dynastySuccessive family rulers
- throneCeremonial chair for sovereigns
- reignSovereign's time in power
- abdicateFormally renounce authority
succession · palace · royalty · crown · royal family · heir apparent · coronation · regency
Senior organizational leader
- administrationOrganizational oversight and control
- policyAdopted principle of action
- legislationOfficial enactment of statutes
- mandateFormal authoritative directive
cabinet · ministry · decree · veto · executive order · term limit · impeachment · address
Formal beginning ceremony
- coronationCeremony installing a sovereign
- pageantryElaborate ceremonial display
- regaliaCeremonial emblems of authority
- processionFormal moving line
fanfare · pomp · ritual · oath of office · protocol · scepter · throne · crown
Peak or diplomatic gathering
- treatyBinding pact between nations
- ambassadorOfficial foreign representative
- delegationTransferring responsibility downward
- envoyAccredited diplomatic representative
foreign policy · international relations · mediation · accord · dialogue · diplomatic immunity · peace talks · bilateral
president
Elected leader of nation
- prime ministerLeader of a parliamentary state
- chancellorSenior administrative official
- premierFirst in importance
emperor · king · queen · sultan · monarch · regent · czar · shah · pharaoh · kaiser
authority
Power to enforce obedience
strongman · despot · totalitarian · regime · coup · junta · martial law · emergency powers · absolute power · cult of personality
sovereign
Supreme in power
abdicate · succession · palace · royalty · crown · royal family · heir apparent · coronation · regency · bloodline
executive
Senior organizational leader
- administrationOrganizational oversight and control
- policyAdopted principle of action
- legislationOfficial enactment of statutes
mandate · cabinet · ministry · decree · veto · executive order · term limit · impeachment · address · approval rating
inauguration
Formal beginning ceremony
- coronationCeremony installing a sovereign
- pageantryElaborate ceremonial display
- regaliaCeremonial emblems of authority
procession · fanfare · pomp · ritual · oath of office · protocol · scepter · throne · crown · robes
summit
Peak or diplomatic gathering
- treatyBinding pact between nations
- ambassadorOfficial foreign representative
- delegationTransferring responsibility downward
envoy · foreign policy · international relations · mediation · accord · dialogue · diplomatic immunity · peace talks · bilateral · multilateral
- eliteselites, plutocrats, oligarchs, aristocrats, blue bloods
- authoritiesrulers, ruler, leaders, leader, officials
- country factspopulation, capital city, area, capitals, language
- leadersleader, boss, leaders, bosses, chiefs
- notable peoplepoliticians, artists, leaders, writers, scientists
- international lawinternational law, treaty, treaties, conventions, protocols
heads of stateordinary citizens
common people · subjects · commoners · cabinet ministers · subordinates
head, state, forehead, heads, states, stately, interstate, airhead, pinhead