dictatorship

/dik'teitəʃip/

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Word: Dictatorship

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition: A dictatorship is a form of government where one person, called a dictator, has total control over the country. In a dictatorship, the dictator does not have to follow laws or listen to other people's opinions. There is usually no fair election, and people cannot freely express their thoughts.

Usage Instructions:

• Use "dictatorship" to describe a political system where a single leader has all the power.
• It’s often used in discussions about politics, history, or current events.

Example Sentence:

• "In a dictatorship, the government can make decisions without the consent of the people."

Advanced Usage:

• When discussing the impact of a dictatorship on society, you might say, "Under a dictatorship, civil liberties are often suppressed, leading to widespread fear among the citizens."
• You could also discuss historical examples, such as, "The dictatorship of Adolf Hitler in Germany led to significant global conflict and human rights abuses."

Word Variants:

• Dictator (noun): The person who rules in a dictatorship. Example: "The dictator enforced strict laws."
• Dictatorial (adjective): Describing someone who behaves like a dictator. Example: "His dictatorial leadership style left no room for debate."

Different Meaning:

While "dictatorship" primarily refers to a political system, it can also be used in a more general sense to describe any situation where one person has complete control over a group or organization, often in a negative way.

Synonyms:

• Autocracy
• Totalitarianism
• Authoritarianism
• Despotism

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• "Rule with an iron fist": This means to govern in a harsh and strict manner, similar to how a dictator might rule.

  • Example: "The leader ruled with an iron fist, silencing anyone who disagreed."

• "Clutching power": This phrase means to hold onto power tightly, often used to describe dictators who refuse to give up their control.

  • Example: "The dictator was clutching power despite widespread protests."

Summary:

A "dictatorship" is a government led by a single ruler who has complete authority, often disregarding laws and the rights of the people.

Academic

Noun

1. a form of government in which the ruler is an absolute dictator (not restricted by a constitution or laws or opposition etc.)