as in tyrants
a person who uses power or authority in a cruel, unjust, or harmful way
the dictator had a fierce stranglehold on the country, keeping its people in poverty and ignorance
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of dictators
Even under military threat, many dictators and authoritarian leaders — Saddam Hussein in Iraq, Slobodan Milosevic in Serbia, Bashar al-Assad in Syria and earlier this year, Maduro in Venezuela — have chosen resistance until the last minute.
—
Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2026
Years later, as Ukraine fights a war to defend its democracy — to preserve a state where institutions serve the people rather than dictators, where the press remains independent, and where citizens can shape the politics around them — the contrast between the two countries is striking.
—Nataliya Gumenyuk, The Dial, 21 Apr. 2026
Five private chefs to fearsome dictators all over the world share their experiences of the kitchens and circumstances that led them to these sometimes dangerous and often morally compromising workplaces.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2026
Wannabe dictators wear out their welcome.
—Tiago Ventura, Time, 13 Apr. 2026
Imperatori-Lee said that global reach gave him a first-hand perspective on how Washington’s economic and military policies — including backing dictators in Latin America — have negatively affected less powerful nations and their citizens.
—Bill Barrow, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Imperatori-Lee said that global reach gave him a first-hand perspective on how Washington's economic and military policies — including backing dictators in Latin America — have negatively affected less powerful nations and their citizens.
—ABC News, 9 Apr. 2026
The common bonds that held the fabric of society together have been torn to shreds and sewn together into robes that adorn the would-be benevolent dictators of culture who explain everything, apologize for nothing and lend their credibility to anyone willing to pay their fee.
—Bruce Stockler, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2026
Although American forces have arrested Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and killed several Iranian leaders, removing the dictators has not dislodged the dictatorships in either Caracas or Tehran.
—David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2026
Years later, as Ukraine fights a war to defend its democracy — to preserve a state where institutions serve the people rather than dictators, where the press remains independent, and where citizens can shape the politics around them — the contrast between the two countries is striking.
—Nataliya Gumenyuk, The Dial, 21 Apr. 2026
Five private chefs to fearsome dictators all over the world share their experiences of the kitchens and circumstances that led them to these sometimes dangerous and often morally compromising workplaces.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2026
Wannabe dictators wear out their welcome.
—Tiago Ventura, Time, 13 Apr. 2026
Imperatori-Lee said that global reach gave him a first-hand perspective on how Washington’s economic and military policies — including backing dictators in Latin America — have negatively affected less powerful nations and their citizens.
—Bill Barrow, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Imperatori-Lee said that global reach gave him a first-hand perspective on how Washington's economic and military policies — including backing dictators in Latin America — have negatively affected less powerful nations and their citizens.
—ABC News, 9 Apr. 2026
The common bonds that held the fabric of society together have been torn to shreds and sewn together into robes that adorn the would-be benevolent dictators of culture who explain everything, apologize for nothing and lend their credibility to anyone willing to pay their fee.
—Bruce Stockler, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2026
Although American forces have arrested Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and killed several Iranian leaders, removing the dictators has not dislodged the dictatorships in either Caracas or Tehran.
—David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dictators
tyrants
Noun
-
The world is being ravaged by a handful of tyrants.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Ready to meet the season's new allies, enemies, tyrants, and giants?—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dictators.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dictators. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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