The word dictator describes a person who holds extensive political power and exercises it with little or no meaningful opposition. It is most often used for an authoritarian ruler, but writers sometimes need a different word to match the exact situation, tone, or historical context.
The best synonyms for dictator are not always interchangeable. Words such as autocrat, despot, tyrant, authoritarian, strongman, and totalitarian ruler overlap with dictator but emphasize different features of power. Choosing the right term can make historical writing, political discussion, academic work, and everyday communication much more precise.
Quick Answer
Common synonyms for dictator include autocrat, despot, tyrant, authoritarian ruler, autocratic ruler, strongman, absolute ruler, despot, and totalitarian leader. The best choice depends on context. For neutral or academic writing, authoritarian ruler or autocrat may work best, while tyrant and despot carry a stronger negative judgment.
Quick List: Synonyms for Dictator
Closest alternatives
- Autocrat
- Despot
- Tyrant
- Authoritarian
- Autocratic ruler
- Absolute ruler
- Strongman
- Authoritarian ruler
- Totalitarian ruler
- Absolute monarch
Formal or academic alternatives
- Authoritarian leader
- Autocratic leader
- Authoritarian head of state
- De facto ruler
- One-man ruler
- Unelected ruler
- Centralized ruler
- Personalist ruler
- Totalitarian leader
- Military ruler
Contextual alternatives
- Military strongman
- Regime leader
- Ruler
- Head of state
- Political strongman
- Supreme leader
- Power holder
- Despotic ruler
- Oppressive ruler
- Iron-fisted ruler
Not all of these terms have exactly the same meaning. A ruler can be perfectly neutral, while a tyrant strongly suggests cruel or unjust behavior.
Formal Alternatives to Dictator
1. Autocrat
Meaning: A person who has unlimited or nearly unlimited political power.
Explanation: Autocrat is one of the closest formal synonyms for dictator. It focuses on concentrated personal authority rather than specifically describing cruelty.
Example: The autocrat centralized political power and weakened independent institutions.
Best Use: Academic writing, history, political analysis, and formal discussion.
Worst Use: Avoid it when the person does not actually hold concentrated personal power.
Tone: Formal and analytical.
2. Authoritarian Ruler
Meaning: A ruler who limits political freedom and concentrates power.
Explanation: This phrase is useful when you want to describe a leader’s governing system without automatically using the emotionally charged word dictator.
Example: The authoritarian ruler restricted opposition parties and independent media.
Best Use: Academic, journalistic, and political writing.
Worst Use: It may be too broad if the person has unusually complete personal control.
Tone: Neutral to critical.
3. Autocratic Leader
Meaning: A leader who makes decisions with little accountability or participation from others.
Explanation: Autocratic describes the style of rule. It does not necessarily carry the same strong moral judgment as tyrant.
Example: The autocratic leader made major policy decisions without consulting parliament.
Best Use: Formal reports and political analysis.
Worst Use: Avoid it if the leader operates through genuine shared decision-making.
Tone: Formal and critical.
4. Authoritarian Leader
Meaning: A leader who restricts political freedom and maintains strong control over society.
Explanation: This is a broad and useful alternative. Unlike dictator, it can describe different degrees of authoritarian government.
Example: The authoritarian leader introduced strict controls on political opposition.
Best Use: Academic writing, news analysis, and research.
Worst Use: It can be too general when a more precise political term is available.
Tone: Formal and analytical.
5. Despot
Meaning: A ruler who uses power in an oppressive or arbitrary way.
Explanation: Despot is a traditional word for a harsh or absolute ruler. It usually has a strongly negative meaning.
Example: The historian described the king as a ruthless despot.
Best Use: Historical writing and strongly critical descriptions.
Worst Use: Avoid it when neutral language is required.
Tone: Strongly negative and literary.
6. Tyrant
Meaning: A ruler who governs cruelly, unjustly, or oppressively.
Explanation: Tyrant overlaps with dictator, but its focus is on abusive or unjust behavior.
Example: The tyrant punished political opponents without fair trials.
Best Use: Historical narratives, opinion writing, and strongly critical contexts.
Worst Use: It may sound biased in neutral academic analysis.
Tone: Strongly negative.
7. Totalitarian Leader
Meaning: A leader associated with a political system seeking extensive control over public and private life.
Explanation: This is narrower than dictator. Not every dictator leads a totalitarian state.
Example: The totalitarian leader sought to control the press, education, and political organizations.
Best Use: Political science and historical analysis.
Worst Use: Do not use it simply because a government is authoritarian.
Tone: Formal and specific.
8. Absolute Ruler
Meaning: A ruler whose authority is not meaningfully limited by other institutions.
Explanation: The phrase emphasizes the extent of political power rather than the ruler’s personality or behavior.
Example: The absolute ruler controlled taxation, lawmaking, and military affairs.
Best Use: Historical and political writing.
Worst Use: It can be inaccurate when constitutional or institutional limits genuinely exist.
Tone: Formal and descriptive.
9. Authoritarian Head of State
Meaning: A country’s head of state who exercises authoritarian political power.
Explanation: This phrase is precise but more descriptive than dictator. It separates the person’s official position from the nature of the government.
Example: The authoritarian head of state faced growing international criticism.
Best Use: Reports, journalism, and academic writing.
Worst Use: It may be unnecessarily long in casual writing.
Tone: Formal and neutral-to-critical.
10. Personalist Ruler
Meaning: A ruler whose political system is heavily centered on personal authority.
Explanation: This term highlights a political structure in which institutions depend strongly on one individual’s power.
Example: The country developed a highly personalist ruling system.
Best Use: Political science and advanced academic writing.
Worst Use: It may confuse general readers unfamiliar with political terminology.
Tone: Technical and academic.
11. Military Ruler
Meaning: A ruler whose authority comes substantially from military power or a military regime.
Explanation: This is narrower than dictator. A dictator does not have to be a military ruler.
Example: The military ruler suspended the constitution after taking power.
Best Use: Historical and political contexts.
Worst Use: Do not use it if the leader has no meaningful military connection to the government.
Tone: Formal and descriptive.
12. Strongman
Meaning: A powerful political leader who exercises authority through personal control and forceful leadership.
Explanation: Strongman is common in journalism and political commentary. It often suggests authoritarian tendencies but does not always mean dictator.
Example: The political strongman built a loyal network within the security forces.
Best Use: Journalism and political commentary.
Worst Use: It can be vague if the reader needs a precise constitutional description.
Tone: Informal to semi-formal.
Semi-Formal and Neutral Alternatives
13. Ruler
Meaning: A person who governs a country, territory, or people.
Example: The ruler maintained tight control over the government.
Best Use: Historical writing when the exact political system is uncertain.
Worst Use: It is too broad if you specifically mean an authoritarian ruler.
Tone: Neutral.
14. Leader
Meaning: A person who directs or controls a political organization, country, or movement.
Example: The leader faced criticism for restricting political opposition.
Best Use: General writing when you want neutral wording.
Worst Use: It loses the authoritarian meaning of dictator.
Tone: Neutral.
15. Head of State
Meaning: The person who officially represents or occupies the highest constitutional position in a country.
Example: The head of state announced the emergency measures.
Best Use: Formal political writing.
Worst Use: Not every head of state is a dictator.
Tone: Formal and neutral.
16. Regime Leader
Meaning: The person who leads a particular political regime.
Example: The regime leader ordered a review of the country’s security policies.
Best Use: Journalism and political analysis.
Worst Use: It may sound vague when the leader’s exact office is known.
Tone: Semi-formal.
17. De Facto Ruler
Meaning: Someone who effectively controls a country or organization even without holding the formal legal position.
Example: Although he held no official office, he became the country’s de facto ruler.
Best Use: Political and historical analysis.
Worst Use: Do not use it if the person officially holds the position being discussed.
Tone: Formal and precise.
18. Unelected Ruler
Meaning: A ruler who did not obtain power through a recognized popular election.
Example: The unelected ruler faced pressure to restore civilian government.
Best Use: Political and historical contexts.
Worst Use: Being unelected alone does not make someone a dictator.
Tone: Neutral to critical.
19. Political Strongman
Meaning: A powerful political figure who relies heavily on personal authority and influence.
Example: The political strongman dominated national politics for decades.
Best Use: Journalism and political commentary.
Worst Use: Avoid it when precise constitutional terminology is required.
Tone: Semi-formal.
20. Supreme Leader
Meaning: A person regarded as having the highest political authority within a particular system.
Example: The supreme leader approved the government’s major policy changes.
Best Use: When the title or political structure genuinely supports the term.
Worst Use: It should not be used as a generic synonym for every dictator.
Tone: Formal and context-dependent.
21. Power Holder
Meaning: A person who possesses significant authority or control.
Example: The main power holder resisted calls for political reform.
Best Use: Analytical writing.
Worst Use: It is too broad for many ordinary contexts.
Tone: Neutral and analytical.
22. Oppressive Ruler
Meaning: A ruler who governs through harsh, unjust, or restrictive methods.
Example: The oppressive ruler silenced critics and restricted public protests.
Best Use: Strongly critical writing.
Worst Use: Avoid it if you have not established evidence of oppression.
Tone: Strongly negative.
Informal and Casual Alternatives
There are fewer true casual synonyms for dictator because the word itself is already common in everyday English. Casual expressions often describe a person’s behavior rather than their exact political position.
23. Strongman
Example: The country’s longtime strongman announced another major political reform.
Natural when: Discussing politics in journalism or casual political conversation.
Avoid when: Writing a precise academic definition.
Tone: Informal to semi-formal.
24. Iron-fisted ruler
Example: The iron-fisted ruler allowed little room for political disagreement.
Natural when: Writing descriptively or dramatically.
Avoid when: Neutral, evidence-based wording is required.
Tone: Dramatic and negative.
25. Hard-line ruler
Example: The hard-line ruler rejected calls for democratic reforms.
Natural when: Describing an uncompromising political leader.
Avoid when: You specifically need to establish that the person is a dictator.
Tone: Casual to semi-formal.
26. Oppressive leader
Example: Protesters accused the oppressive leader of violating civil liberties.
Natural when: Discussing alleged or established abusive leadership.
Avoid when: The evidence does not support the characterization.
Tone: Negative.
True Synonyms vs. Contextual Alternatives
The biggest mistake in synonym writing is treating every related word as interchangeable. Dictator specifically refers to a ruler with dictatorial or highly authoritarian power. Some alternatives describe the same basic role, while others describe only one feature of it.
| Type | What It Means | Can It Replace the Original? |
|---|---|---|
| True/near synonym | A ruler with concentrated authoritarian power | Often |
| Near synonym | A person with extensive personal political authority | Usually, depending on context |
| Contextual alternative | A term emphasizing a particular feature | Sometimes |
| Broader expression | A general term for someone who governs | Only when precision is not needed |
| Narrower expression | A term describing a specific type of ruler | Only in the relevant context |
Autocrat is generally one of the closest substitutes. Tyrant adds the idea of cruelty or injustice. Strongman emphasizes personal political dominance. Military ruler identifies a specific source or structure of power. Leader and ruler are much broader and can remove the authoritarian meaning entirely.
Industry-Specific Usage
Business Writing
The word dictator is usually inappropriate for ordinary business writing unless you are discussing a political or historical subject.
Instead of saying:
The dictator of the organization made every decision.
A business writer might say:
The autocratic manager made every major decision without consulting the team.
Here, autocratic manager describes workplace behavior without incorrectly applying a political title.
Corporate Communication
Corporate communication should favor precise and measured language.
Useful choices include:
- Autocratic leader
- Authoritarian leadership
- Centralized decision-maker
- Dominant leader
- Top-down leadership
Example:
The company developed a highly centralized decision-making structure under its founder.
Academic Writing
Academic writing usually benefits from precision rather than emotionally loaded language.
Prefer:
- Autocrat
- Authoritarian ruler
- Authoritarian leader
- Personalist ruler
- Totalitarian leader
- Military ruler
Example:
The paper examines how the authoritarian ruler consolidated political institutions around personal authority.
Use tyrant or despot only when the argument or historical source specifically supports those judgments.
Customer Service
Political synonyms for dictator generally have no place in normal customer-service communication. If you are describing controlling behavior, use neutral terms such as:
- Controlling
- Uncompromising
- Overly demanding
- Authoritarian
Example:
The customer described the supervisor as overly controlling.
Legal Writing
Legal writing requires particular care. Dictator, tyrant, despot, and authoritarian are generally descriptive rather than interchangeable legal titles.
A legal document should identify the person’s actual office, legal authority, or conduct where possible.
For example:
The head of state exercised emergency powers.
may be more precise than:
The dictator exercised emergency powers.
The second sentence adds a political characterization that may require support.
Email Communication
In professional emails, avoid calling someone a dictator unless you are discussing the term itself or a political subject.
Instead of:
Our manager is a dictator.
A professional email might say:
Our manager has adopted a highly centralized decision-making approach.
That wording is less inflammatory and more appropriate for workplace communication.
Email Examples
Email 1 — Client Communication
Subject: Update on Decision-Making Process
Hello James,
I wanted to share a brief update on the project’s decision-making structure. The project lead has taken a more centralized approach to approvals, so several decisions now require direct review before we proceed.
Please let me know if you would like a detailed summary of the revised process.
Best,
Daniel
Email 2 — Academic Communication
Subject: Clarification on Historical Terminology
Dear Professor Adams,
I have revised my paper to use the term autocrat rather than dictator where appropriate. I found that the distinction better reflects the ruler’s concentration of personal authority without adding unnecessary judgment.
Thank you for the guidance.
Best regards,
Emily
Email 3 — Internal Workplace Email
Subject: Team Decision-Making
Hi Sarah,
I think we should discuss the current leadership structure. Several team members feel that decisions are being made in an increasingly autocratic manner, with limited opportunities for input.
Could we discuss this during our next team meeting?
Thanks,
Michael
Email 4 — Vendor Communication
Subject: Approval Process Update
Hello Mark,
Our approval process has recently become more centralized. The department head now reviews most major purchasing decisions before orders are finalized.
This may slightly affect our usual turnaround time.
Regards,
Lisa
Email 5 — Historical Discussion
Subject: Historical Figure for Research Project
Hi Alex,
For the presentation, I suggest describing the historical figure as an authoritarian ruler. That term seems more precise because the evidence shows extensive political control but does not necessarily establish every characteristic associated with totalitarian rule.
Best,
Nora
Short Dialogue Examples
Workplace
Person A: Why does every decision have to go through him?
Person B: He has an autocratic management style. The team has very little input.
Classroom
Person A: Can we call the ruler a tyrant?
Person B: We can, but that word is strongly negative. Autocrat may be more neutral for the essay.
Customer Service
Person A: The supervisor controls every small detail.
Person B: Then “overly controlling” might describe the behavior better than “dictator.”
Casual Conversation
Person A: He runs the whole group like a dictator.
Person B: Yeah, he never lets anyone else make a decision.
Professional Discussion
Person A: Is “strongman” accurate here?
Person B: It could be, but it emphasizes personal political power rather than the formal structure of the government.
How to Replace “Dictator” in a Sentence
1. Original:
The dictator controlled the country for decades.
Alternative:
The autocrat controlled the country for decades.
Why it works:
Autocrat preserves the idea of concentrated personal authority.
2. Original:
The dictator suppressed political opposition.
Alternative:
The authoritarian ruler suppressed political opposition.
Why it works:
This is formal and descriptive while retaining the political context.
3. Original:
The dictator was known for his cruelty.
Alternative:
The tyrant was known for his cruelty.
Why it works:
Tyrant strongly emphasizes cruel and unjust rule.
4. Original:
The dictator relied on military support.
Alternative:
The military ruler relied on support from the armed forces.
Why it works:
This version specifically identifies the military connection.
5. Original:
The dictator made all major decisions personally.
Alternative:
The autocratic leader made all major decisions personally.
Why it works:
Autocratic directly describes centralized decision-making.
6. Original:
The dictator dominated national politics.
Alternative:
The political strongman dominated national politics.
Why it works:
Strongman highlights personal political dominance.
7. Original:
The dictator sought total control over society.
Alternative:
The totalitarian leader sought extensive control over society.
Why it works:
Totalitarian is appropriate when the government seeks unusually broad control over social and political life.
8. Original:
The dictator remained in power despite widespread criticism.
Alternative:
The authoritarian ruler remained in power despite widespread criticism.
Why it works:
The replacement sounds more analytical and less emotionally charged.
Comparison Table
| Phrase | Tone | Meaning / Scope | Best Use | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dictator | Critical | Authoritarian ruler with concentrated power | General political writing | The dictator abolished opposition parties. |
| Autocrat | Formal | Ruler with concentrated personal authority | Academic writing | The autocrat centralized power. |
| Tyrant | Strongly negative | Cruel or unjust ruler | Historical/commentary writing | The tyrant punished his critics. |
| Despot | Strongly negative | Oppressive absolute ruler | Historical writing | The despot ruled through fear. |
| Authoritarian ruler | Formal | Ruler who restricts political freedom | Academic/news writing | The authoritarian ruler limited dissent. |
| Strongman | Semi-formal | Dominant personal political figure | Journalism | The strongman dominated politics. |
| Military ruler | Formal | Ruler linked to military government | History/politics | The military ruler suspended parliament. |
| Totalitarian leader | Technical | Leader of a highly controlling system | Political science | The totalitarian leader controlled state institutions. |
| Ruler | Neutral | Person who governs | General writing | The ruler introduced reforms. |
| Head of state | Formal | Official national officeholder | Government writing | The head of state addressed the nation. |
| De facto ruler | Formal | Person who actually controls power | Political analysis | He became the de facto ruler. |
| Oppressive ruler | Critical | Ruler characterized by oppression | Commentary | The oppressive ruler silenced critics. |
Which Alternative Should You Choose?
writing: Choose autocrat, authoritarian ruler, or authoritarian leader.
business communication: Use autocratic leader, controlling manager, or centralized decision-maker, depending on what you actually mean.
academic writing: Autocrat and authoritarian ruler are often strong choices because they can be more precise than emotionally charged terms.
legal writing: Describe the person’s official position, authority, and conduct instead of relying on labels such as dictator or tyrant.
professional emails: Prefer neutral descriptions such as centralized, autocratic, or overly controlling.
everyday conversation: Dictator, strongman, and tyrant can all work, but their emotional force differs.
historical writing: Use despot, tyrant, autocrat, or absolute ruler only when the historical context supports the specific meaning.
Grammar and Usage Guide
Is “dictator” a noun?
Yes. Dictator is a countable noun.
- The dictator announced a new policy.
- Several dictators have ruled the country at different times.
What is the adjective form?
The common adjective is dictatorial.
- The leader adopted a dictatorial approach.
- His dictatorial behavior frustrated the council.
Dictatorial describes behavior or a style of rule; it does not normally name the person.
What is the adverb form?
The adverb is dictatorially, although it is uncommon.
For most everyday writing, a clearer phrase such as in a dictatorial manner is often preferable.
Dictator vs. dictatorship
These words have different grammatical roles:
- Dictator = the person
- Dictatorship = the system or period of government
- Dictatorial = describing behavior or rule
Correct: The dictator established a dictatorship.
Correct: The government became increasingly dictatorial.
Capitalization
The word dictator is normally lowercase unless it begins a sentence or forms part of an official title or proper name.
- The dictator addressed parliament.
- Dictator is not normally capitalized as a common noun.
Articles
Use a or the according to context.
- He became a dictator.
- The dictator addressed the nation.
Use the when referring to a specific dictator already identified or understood.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Treating every alternative as an exact synonym
Leader, ruler, and dictator do not mean the same thing. The first two are much broader.
2. Using “tyrant” as a neutral term
Tyrant strongly suggests cruelty or injustice. It can sound argumentative in academic writing.
3. Calling every authoritarian leader a totalitarian
Totalitarianism describes a particularly extensive form of political control. The terms should not be treated as interchangeable.
4. Using “military ruler” without evidence
A dictator may be civilian, military, hereditary, or otherwise connected to a political system. Military rule is a specific category.
5. Using “strongman” in highly technical writing
The term is common in journalism but less precise than established political-science terminology.
6. Confusing “unelected” with “dictator”
A leader can be unelected without being a dictator. Lack of election alone does not establish dictatorial rule.
7. Using political labels in workplace disputes
Calling a manager a dictator may sound emotional and unprofessional. Describe the actual behavior instead.
8. Choosing a dramatic synonym when precision matters
Words such as despot and tyrant can add rhetorical force but may reduce neutrality.
When Not to Use “Dictator”
There are situations where dictator may not be the best word.
1. When you need neutral academic language
Use authoritarian ruler or autocrat when the evidence supports those terms and you want a more analytical tone.
2. When discussing a workplace manager
Use autocratic, controlling, or centralized decision-maker rather than turning a political term into a personal insult.
3. When the person’s legal position matters
Use the person’s official title, such as president, monarch, or head of state, and explain the person’s actual authority.
4. When cruelty has not been established
Avoid tyrant or despot if the available evidence only establishes concentrated political power.
5. When the government is specifically totalitarian
If the system’s characteristics support the term, totalitarian leader may be more precise than the broader dictator.
6. When you mean someone who controls decisions but is not a political ruler
For example, a workplace manager may be autocratic without being a dictator.
When “dictator” is actually the better choice
Use dictator when you need a familiar, direct term for a person who exercises dictatorial political power. It is concise, widely understood, and often appropriate in general historical or political writing.
Advanced Writer Tips
Tone Control
Choose the word according to the level of judgment you want.
- Neutral/analytical: authoritarian ruler
- Formal: autocrat
- Specific: military ruler
- Strongly critical: tyrant
- Literary/historical: despot
- Journalistic: strongman
Professional Email Etiquette
Avoid emotionally charged labels when discussing workplace behavior. Instead of saying someone is a dictator, identify the specific problem:
- Makes decisions without consultation
- Rejects team input
- Controls minor details
- Centralizes approvals
- Restricts employee autonomy
Specific language is usually more persuasive than a dramatic label.
Politeness
Small changes can significantly affect tone.
Aggressive:
Our manager is a dictator.
Professional:
Our manager has adopted a highly centralized decision-making style.
The second version focuses on observable behavior rather than making a personal accusation.
Context Alignment
The same person may reasonably be described in different ways depending on the purpose of your writing.
A historian may use absolute ruler.
A political scientist may use personalist ruler.
A journalist may use strongman.
A critic may use tyrant.
The best synonym is therefore the one that preserves the important part of the original meaning.
Precision
Before replacing dictator, ask what you actually mean:
- Concentrated power? → autocrat
- Political repression? → authoritarian ruler
- Cruel rule? → tyrant
- Oppressive absolute rule? → despot
- Military control? → military ruler
- Broad social control? → totalitarian leader
- Personal political dominance? → strongman
Readability
Do not choose a complicated term simply because it sounds sophisticated. Dictator may be clearer than personalist authoritarian ruler for a general audience.
Good writing is not about finding the longest synonym. It is about finding the most accurate one.
Related Questions About Synonyms for Dictator
What is another way to say dictator?
The closest alternatives are autocrat, authoritarian ruler, autocratic leader, and despot. The best option depends on meaning. Autocrat focuses on concentrated power, while despot emphasizes oppressive rule.
What is a professional alternative to dictator?
For professional or academic writing, authoritarian ruler or autocrat is often more suitable. If you are describing workplace behavior rather than political leadership, use autocratic leader, controlling manager, or centralized decision-maker.
What is a formal alternative to dictator?
Autocrat is one of the strongest formal alternatives. Authoritarian ruler, absolute ruler, and personalist ruler can also work when their more specific meanings match the context.
Is dictator a formal word?
Yes. Dictator is a standard English word and is suitable for formal writing. However, its strong political meaning and negative association mean that some academic or professional contexts may benefit from a more specific or neutral term.
Can “tyrant” replace “dictator”?
Sometimes, but not always. Both can describe oppressive rulers, but tyrant places greater emphasis on cruelty, injustice, or abuse. If you only want to describe concentrated political power, autocrat may be more precise.
What is the difference between dictator and autocrat?
A dictator is an authoritarian ruler who exercises dictatorial power, while an autocrat is a person who holds concentrated personal authority. The meanings overlap heavily, but autocrat can sound more analytical and less emotionally charged.
What is the difference between dictator and strongman?
A dictator specifically describes dictatorial political rule. A strongman describes a powerful political figure who relies heavily on personal authority, influence, or force. A strongman may be authoritarian without necessarily meeting every definition of dictator.
Key Takeaways
- Autocrat is one of the closest formal alternatives to dictator.
- Tyrant and despot add a strong sense of cruelty or oppression.
- Authoritarian ruler is useful for neutral or academic political writing.
- Strongman emphasizes personal political dominance but is less technically precise.
- Always choose a synonym based on the exact power structure, behavior, audience, and tone you need.
Conclusion:
The best synonym for dictator depends on what you want the sentence to emphasize. If your focus is concentrated personal power, autocrat is often an excellent choice. If you want a more analytical political term, authoritarian ruler works well. Tyrant and despot are stronger choices when cruelty, injustice, or oppression is central to the description, while strongman is useful in journalistic and political commentary.
Broader words such as leader, ruler, and head of state should be used carefully because they do not automatically imply authoritarian rule. Likewise, narrower terms such as military ruler and totalitarian leader require evidence that those specific characteristics apply.
Ultimately, good synonym choice is about precision, not simply replacing one word with another. Consider the audience, context, level of formality, and exact meaning before choosing the alternative that fits best.