overlords
Those who dominate
Overlords are rulers or masters who hold power over others, especially those who dominate subordinate lords or territories.
The term suggests feudal hierarchy or absolute authority: The Norman overlords imposed their language on England.
In modern use, overlord often carries ironic or sinister overtones—corporate overlords, robot overlords, alien overlords—implying oppressive control: Our new tech overlords know everything about us.
Rulers with crowns
- sovereignsSupreme rulers of nations
- emperorsSupreme rulers of realms
- kingsMale hereditary rulers
- czarsRussian absolute monarchs
sultans · pharaohs · warlords · chieftains · lords · regents · governors · commanders
Unjust exercise of power
- despotismAbsolute one-person rule
- dictatorshipUnchecked single-ruler government
- totalitarianismState controls everything absolutely
- authoritarianismConcentrated, unchecked governmental power
subjugation · enslavement · exploitation · persecution · cruelty · brutality · iron fist · repression
Superior influence over others
- authorityPower to enforce obedience
- commandAuthoritative instruction given
- controlAuthority to direct
- supremacyHighest rank or power
hegemony · sovereignty · omnipotence · absolute power · influence · reign · rule · mastery
- Big BrotherTotalitarian surveillance authority
- dystopiaImaginary terrible society
- hive mindUnified group consciousness
- sci-fiFuturistic fiction, abbreviated
Daleks · villains · antagonists · supervillains · world domination
monarchs
Rulers with crowns
- sovereignsSupreme rulers of nations
- emperorsSupreme rulers of realms
- kingsMale hereditary rulers
czars · sultans · pharaohs · warlords · chieftains · lords · regents · governors · commanders · nobility
oppression
Unjust exercise of power
- despotismAbsolute one-person rule
- dictatorshipUnchecked single-ruler government
- totalitarianismState controls everything absolutely
authoritarianism · subjugation · enslavement · exploitation · persecution · cruelty · brutality · iron fist · repression · domination
dominance
Superior influence over others
supremacy · hegemony · sovereignty · omnipotence · absolute power · influence · reign · rule · mastery · ascendancy
Sauron
- Big BrotherTotalitarian surveillance authority
- dystopiaImaginary terrible society
- hive mindUnified group consciousness
Daleks · sci-fi · villains · antagonists · supervillains · world domination
- Dystopia1984, Nineteen Eighty-Four, dystopian fiction, totalitarianism, Brave New World
- feudalismfief, vassal, fealty, homage, fiefdom
- oppressorstyrants, despots, dictators, autocrats, authoritarians
- authoritiesrulers, ruler, leaders, leader, officials
- leadersleader, boss, leaders, bosses, chiefs
- social classesupper class, middle class, lower class, working class, nobles
overlordssubordinates
Those ranked below
underlings · subjects · vassals · serfs · minions
- Operation OverlordWWII cross-channel assault codename
- benevolent overlordKind ruler with total control