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dictatorially

dictatorially

1 9.1
In a strong controlling way that ignores other people's opinions
  • adverb
  • /ˌdɪk.təˈtɔːr.i.ə.li/
translation icon : dictatorialmente
  • The authors support the theses of Naomi Klein's book, "The Shock Doctrine," (reviewed below) which carefully pointed out that capitalists love a crisis so that they can dictatorially institute their policies.

Examples

  • I've seen some companies that I think you say dictatorially try and achieve the same thing.

  • But Obama didn't do this; he dictatorially demanded a payment.

    Blog text (7)
  • They would have been better to have gently seeded the rebrand and won over people across an extended period of time, rather than dictatorially issuing snap commands about what people can think and write about it.

    Blog text (33)
  • RR particularly opposes the unconstitutional stance of many courts and public agencies that now force alcoholics to join religiously oriented 12-step programs and dictatorially give them no nonreligious choice.

    Academic text (1992)
  • The CEO dictatorially enforced his decisions without considering the team's opinions.

  • She ruled the organization dictatorially, making all the important choices herself.

  • The manager dictatorially implemented new policies that left no room for discussion.

Synonyms

with an iron fist
vsdictatorially
7 7.7

In a very strict and harsh way to control people

is similar but stresses overall authoritative style rather than only strictness
imperiously
vsdictatorially
1 8.6

To speak in a commanding way that expects people to obey

is more about enforcing power than showing proud superiority
coercively
vsdictatorially
  • Offensive
1 8.2

To make someone do something by using force or threats

is about imposing will through dominance rather than only using force
overbearingly
vsdictatorially
1 7.9

In a way that tries to control others and ignores their views

relies more on formal authority and position than on personal arrogance
autocratically
vsdictatorially
1 8.1

To act with complete power without asking other people what they think

is expressed as a personal pushy style rather than formal absolute control
tyrannically
vsdictatorially
1 7.9

In a cruel, unfair way using strong control over others

may be controlling without using extreme cruelty or fear tactics
high-handedly
vsdictatorially
  • Formal
8.2

In a way that treats other people as unimportant and ignores their views

relies on absolute authority rather than simple disregard for opinions
domineeringly
vsdictatorially
8.1

In a way that shows someone wants to control other people

is about enforced authority from a power position rather than personal pressure
despotically
vsdictatorially
8.8

In a cruel way that ignores people's rights

can be controlling without the severe cruelty or harsh repression
bossily
vsdictatorially
4.6

In a way that tells people what to do

is more serious and systemic control than casual petty commands

Antonyms

By working together to reach a common goal

How Dictatorial

tyrannically
1 7.9
dictatorially
1 9.1

Surface Forms

dictatorially positive
dictatoriallyer comparative
dictatoriallyest superlative

Morphology

dictatorially = dictatorial (transparent) = dictator + ial + ly

The adverb is a regular formation from the adjective 'dictatorial' with '-ly', and the meaning 'in a dictator-like manner' is straightforward.

Etymology

Dictatorially comes from dictator, which comes from the old Latin root dic- meaning 'to say' or 'declare'. You can see the same root in dictate, which means 'to order', so dictatorially describes acting like someone who gives orders and controls others.