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dictatorial

   Also found in: Legal, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia 0.02 sec.
dic·ta·to·ri·al  (dkt-tôr-l, -tr-)
adj.
1. Tending to dictate; domineering.
2. Of, relating to, or characteristic of a dictator or dictatorship; autocratic.

dicta·tori·al·ly adv.
Synonyms: dictatorial, authoritarian, dogmatic, doctrinaire, imperious, overbearing
These adjectives mean asserting or tending to assert one's authority or to impose one's will on others. Dictatorial stresses the highhanded, peremptory manner characteristic of a dictator: ordered the staff about in her usual dictatorial manner.
Authoritarian implies the expectation of unquestioning obedience: the timid child of authoritarian parents.
Dogmatic suggests the imposing of one's will or opinion as though these were beyond challenge: "When people are least sure, they are often most dogmatic" John Kenneth Galbraith.
Doctrinaire implies the imposition of one's theories, beliefs, or doctrines: "They didn't know the facts . . . and I don't think it would've mattered in the slightest if they had. Very doctrinaire" George V. Higgins.
Imperious suggests the arrogant manner of one accustomed to commanding: dismissed my opinion with an imperious gesture.
Overbearing implies a tendency to be oppressively or rudely domineering: an overbearing customer demanding to see the manager.

dictatorial
Adjective
1. of or pertaining to a dictator
2. tyrannical; overbearing
dictatorially adv
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Adj.1.dictatorial - of or characteristic of a dictator; "dictatorial powers"
2.dictatorial - expecting unquestioning obedience; "the timid child of authoritarian parents"; "insufferably overbearing behavior toward the waiter"
domineering - tending to domineer
3.dictatorialdictatorial - characteristic of an absolute ruler or absolute rule; having absolute sovereignty; "an authoritarian regime"; "autocratic government"; "despotic rulers"; "a dictatorial rule that lasted for the duration of the war"; "a tyrannical government"
undemocratic - not in agreement with or according to democratic doctrine or practice or ideals; "the union broke with its past undemocratic procedures"

dictatorial
adjective 1. absolute, unlimited, totalitarian, autocratic, unrestricted, tyrannical, despotic << OPPOSITE democratic
adjective 2. domineering, authoritarian, oppressive, bossy (informal) imperious, overbearing, magisterial, iron-handed, dogmatical << OPPOSITE servile

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The emphasis was helped by the speaker's voice, which was inflexible, dry, and dictatorial.
Then ensued grumbling, discontent, murmurs; they blamed the president, taxed him with dictatorial conduct.
From this complacence, the critics have been emboldened to assume a dictatorial power, and have so far succeeded, that they are now become the masters, and have the assurance to give laws to those authors from whose predecessors they originally received them.
 
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