Dictator
noun
Someone who leads a country with complete power and often by force.
The dictator ruled the country for over three decades.
Often appears as...
- military dictator
- ruthless dictator
Usage tips
Disapproving
noun
In ancient Rome, a person appointed to rule for total six months during an emergency.
During the time of crisis, the senate would often appoint a dictator to maintain stability.
Often appears as...
- roman dictator
- appoint a dictator
Usage tips
Neutral
Academic
noun
Someone who leads a country with complete power and often by force.
The dictator ruled the country for over three decades.
Often appears as...
- military dictator
- ruthless dictator
Usage tips
Disapproving
noun
In ancient Rome, a person appointed to rule for total six months during an emergency.
During the time of crisis, the senate would often appoint a dictator to maintain stability.
Often appears as...
- roman dictator
- appoint a dictator
Usage tips
Neutral
Academic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
Dictator has a negative meaning, suggesting oppression and lack of freedom.
People often flee from countries ruled by a dictator.
Pro Tip 2/3Current Usage
Today, 'dictator' is generally used for leaders who've seized power, not elected ones.
The international community condemned the dictator's rise to power.
Pro Tip 3/3Forced Leadership
Dictators often use force or manipulation to maintain control over a nation.
The dictator silenced opposition to prevent uprisings.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
Dictator has a negative meaning, suggesting oppression and lack of freedom.
People often flee from countries ruled by a dictator.
Pro Tip 2/3Current Usage
Today, 'dictator' is generally used for leaders who've seized power, not elected ones.
The international community condemned the dictator's rise to power.
Pro Tip 3/3Forced Leadership
Dictators often use force or manipulation to maintain control over a nation.
The dictator silenced opposition to prevent uprisings.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
Dictator has a negative meaning, suggesting oppression and lack of freedom.
People often flee from countries ruled by a dictator.
Pro Tip 2/3Current Usage
Today, 'dictator' is generally used for leaders who've seized power, not elected ones.
The international community condemned the dictator's rise to power.
Pro Tip 3/3Forced Leadership
Dictators often use force or manipulation to maintain control over a nation.
The dictator silenced opposition to prevent uprisings.
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Video examples
What if a US presidential...
please do it peacefully. This is not just philosophy or morality. A lot of studies have shown that it's the peaceful protests that are more successful at challenging these would-be dictators and reversing coup attempts. It's the peaceful ones, why? Because when the protests turn violent,
Video examples
Srdja Popovic: How to...
There are risks to be taken, and there are living people who are winning the struggle. Well, the million-dollar question. What will happen in the Arab world? And though young people from the Arab world were pretty successful in bringing down three dictators, shaking the region,
Video examples
What is international...
didn't know about international development is that the developing world is actually subsidizing us for every dollar that the developing world gets in aid ten dollars flow out into tax havens and international banks because of elicit dictator spending they hide their
Video examples
Boniface Mwangi: The day...
Kenya's poor are five times more likely to be shot dead by the police who are meant to protect them than by criminals. This was reinforced by the political climate of the day. We had a president, Moi, who was a dictator. He ruled the country with an iron fist,
Video examples
Plato’s best (and worst)...
in our souls, which determine our roles in life. Some thinkers have gone on to credit the idea of the noble lie as a prototype for 20th century propaganda, and the philosopher king as inspiration for the dictators that used them. Should a few bad ideas
Video examples
Yuval Noah Harari...
it's not a kind of dictator that that spies on your brain but you have all these corporations and maybe all these government agencies which are monitoring what's happening inside your body i mean what does it mean to live in a world
Video examples
Can you solve the...
and the dictator has ensured they can't learn their own eye color. There are no reflective surfaces, all water is in opaque containers, and most importantly, they're not allowed to communicate among themselves.
Video examples
The great conspiracy...
Statues were built, temples were dedicated, and a whole month was renamed, still called July today. More importantly, the title of dictator, meant to grant temporary emergency powers in wartime,
Video examples
Climate Change and the...
don't grow because the rain doesn't fall you have no protection no future here so you're tortured by a dictator you have certain rights if i've been driven out of my country by
Video examples
What I learned about...
people told me that he was actually a dictator, he had cars, many, many resorts, and he had an ultraluxurious life. And then I remember looking at a picture of him,
Video examples
What if a US presidential...
please do it peacefully. This is not just philosophy or morality. A lot of studies have shown that it's the peaceful protests that are more successful at challenging these would-be dictators and reversing coup attempts. It's the peaceful ones, why? Because when the protests turn violent,
Video examples
Srdja Popovic: How to...
There are risks to be taken, and there are living people who are winning the struggle. Well, the million-dollar question. What will happen in the Arab world? And though young people from the Arab world were pretty successful in bringing down three dictators, shaking the region,
Video examples
What is international...
didn't know about international development is that the developing world is actually subsidizing us for every dollar that the developing world gets in aid ten dollars flow out into tax havens and international banks because of elicit dictator spending they hide their
Video examples
Boniface Mwangi: The day...
Kenya's poor are five times more likely to be shot dead by the police who are meant to protect them than by criminals. This was reinforced by the political climate of the day. We had a president, Moi, who was a dictator. He ruled the country with an iron fist,
Video examples
Plato’s best (and worst)...
in our souls, which determine our roles in life. Some thinkers have gone on to credit the idea of the noble lie as a prototype for 20th century propaganda, and the philosopher king as inspiration for the dictators that used them. Should a few bad ideas
Video examples
Yuval Noah Harari...
it's not a kind of dictator that that spies on your brain but you have all these corporations and maybe all these government agencies which are monitoring what's happening inside your body i mean what does it mean to live in a world
Video examples
Can you solve the...
and the dictator has ensured they can't learn their own eye color. There are no reflective surfaces, all water is in opaque containers, and most importantly, they're not allowed to communicate among themselves.
Video examples
The great conspiracy...
Statues were built, temples were dedicated, and a whole month was renamed, still called July today. More importantly, the title of dictator, meant to grant temporary emergency powers in wartime,
Video examples
Climate Change and the...
don't grow because the rain doesn't fall you have no protection no future here so you're tortured by a dictator you have certain rights if i've been driven out of my country by
Video examples
What I learned about...
people told me that he was actually a dictator, he had cars, many, many resorts, and he had an ultraluxurious life. And then I remember looking at a picture of him,
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Lakhdar Brahimi
Algerian Public Servant
Iraq is a country that has been invaded. It's not a failing state that you want to help. It's a country that was functioning good or bad, with a horrible dictator, but you have invaded.
Quote examples
Natan Sharansky
Russian Writer
To understand why dictators have a problem with making peace - or at least a genuine peace - the link between the nature of a regime and its external behavior must be understood.
Quote examples
Colin Powell
American Statesman
We got rid of a terrible dictator. We gave the Iraqi people an opportunity for a new life under a representative form of government.
Quote examples
George W. Bush
American President
We know that dictators are quick to choose aggression, while free nations strive to resolve differences in peace.
Quote examples
Isabella Rossellini
Italian Actress
But I don't really see myself as a role model. I'm not a dictator, or someone who wants to be adored!
Quote examples
J. Michael Straczynski
American Producer
No dictator, no invader, can hold an imprisoned population by force of arms forever.
Quote examples
Richard Griffiths
English Actor
If I were dictator, I'd have a catch-all crime of disrespect.
Quote examples
Andre Villas-Boas
Portuguese Businessman
I'm no dictator. I encourage freedom of choice in football.
Quote examples
Lee Hyeon-seo
South Korean Writer
History has proved that dictators can't last forever.
Quote examples
Tom Malinowski
Corruption empowers and enriches dictators.
Quote examples
Lakhdar Brahimi
Algerian Public Servant
Iraq is a country that has been invaded. It's not a failing state that you want to help. It's a country that was functioning good or bad, with a horrible dictator, but you have invaded.
Quote examples
Natan Sharansky
Russian Writer
To understand why dictators have a problem with making peace - or at least a genuine peace - the link between the nature of a regime and its external behavior must be understood.
Quote examples
Colin Powell
American Statesman
We got rid of a terrible dictator. We gave the Iraqi people an opportunity for a new life under a representative form of government.
Quote examples
George W. Bush
American President
We know that dictators are quick to choose aggression, while free nations strive to resolve differences in peace.
Quote examples
Isabella Rossellini
Italian Actress
But I don't really see myself as a role model. I'm not a dictator, or someone who wants to be adored!
Quote examples
J. Michael Straczynski
American Producer
No dictator, no invader, can hold an imprisoned population by force of arms forever.
Quote examples
Richard Griffiths
English Actor
If I were dictator, I'd have a catch-all crime of disrespect.
Quote examples
Andre Villas-Boas
Portuguese Businessman
I'm no dictator. I encourage freedom of choice in football.
Quote examples
Lee Hyeon-seo
South Korean Writer
History has proved that dictators can't last forever.
Quote examples
Tom Malinowski
Corruption empowers and enriches dictators.
Example 1 of 10
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