illegitimate ruler
Throne thief, essentially
An illegitimate ruler is someone who holds power without proper legal, constitutional, or moral authority.
The term applies to usurpers who seize power by force, leaders who rig elections, or monarchs whose claim to the throne is disputed: The general was widely regarded as an illegitimate ruler after the coup.
Legitimacy may be contested—one faction's liberator is another's illegitimate ruler.
- usurperIllegal power seizer
- false claimUntrue assertion presented seriously
- tyrantCruel, absolute ruler
- pretenderIllegitimate claimant to power
- despotRuler with absolute power
dictator · iron fist · puppet · puppet state · military coup · coup · throne · crown · overthrow · seize · false king · imposter · oppressor · junta · regime · conquest · rebellion · exile
illegitimate rulerrightful heir
Person legally due inheritance
constitutional monarch · elected leader · anointed king · elected representative
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