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
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Recent Examples of dictators
Xi was flanked by Putin and Kim, two brutal and aggressive dictators whom many nations would rather shun.
—
Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
But wooing Western partners would likely involve some compromises that these dictators are probably unwilling to make.
—Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025
What To Know The portrait provoked reaction on social media, with some comparing the move to display it to those made by dictators.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
That is what happened for real to the wealthy in Communist or Socialist police states like China, Russia and North Korea where all, except the dictators, are treated equally—equally miserable.
—Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 18 Aug. 2025
But from the onset, the second-oldest republic in the Western Hemisphere after the United States was beset by armed conflict, foreign interventions, repressive dictators, political violence, and heads of state whose personal ambitions and desire for power fanned instability and revolts.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2025
This was home to one of the most secretive dictators in the world, and now Syrians who were terrified to say anything about him are freely wandering around what was once his living room.
—Hadeel Al-Shalchi, NPR, 25 Jan. 2025
There is no climate change rationale for this, only the extortion of American taxpayers to pad the pockets of Third World dictators.
—Raul A. Reyes, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025
Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
But wooing Western partners would likely involve some compromises that these dictators are probably unwilling to make.
—Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025
What To Know The portrait provoked reaction on social media, with some comparing the move to display it to those made by dictators.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
That is what happened for real to the wealthy in Communist or Socialist police states like China, Russia and North Korea where all, except the dictators, are treated equally—equally miserable.
—Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 18 Aug. 2025
But from the onset, the second-oldest republic in the Western Hemisphere after the United States was beset by armed conflict, foreign interventions, repressive dictators, political violence, and heads of state whose personal ambitions and desire for power fanned instability and revolts.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2025
This was home to one of the most secretive dictators in the world, and now Syrians who were terrified to say anything about him are freely wandering around what was once his living room.
—Hadeel Al-Shalchi, NPR, 25 Jan. 2025
There is no climate change rationale for this, only the extortion of American taxpayers to pad the pockets of Third World dictators.
—Raul A. Reyes, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dictators
tyrants
Noun
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And while the band's frontman Freddie Mercury only made it into his 40s, the song's question continues to haunt people—especially aging tyrants who fear that the icy hand of death is upon their shoulder and want far more time to ensure both national and personal glory.—
Nate Anderson,
ArsTechnica,
3 Sep. 2025
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But by positioning this as a story of a younger generation refusing to cede their liberties to tyrants, Loktev has made a film about resistance, putting a human face on the daily struggles concerned citizens must endure to take back their country.—
Tim Grierson,
Rolling Stone,
13 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dictators.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dictators. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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