noun

dictatorship

dictatorship

The country suffered under a brutal dictatorship.

The country suffered under a brutal dictatorship.

He established a military dictatorship after the coup.

He established a military dictatorship after the coup.

((a/the)) dictatorship a form of government The country lived under a dictatorship for decades.

Synonyms: tyranny, autocracy, despotism; Antonyms: democracy

From Latin 'dictare' (to dictate, order). It combines 'dictator' (one who gives orders) with '-ship' (condition, state).

Think of a 'dictator' whose 'ship' (state of being) rules the country. It's the state of a dictator's rule.

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