Learn English – What do you call someone who just assumes control

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I am writing a paper on a dystopia and how the leader came to be. I need a term to describe how he wasn't elected into power but he just assumed the role of instigator and no one questioned him.

Best Answer

I don't think there's a standard single-word term, but Google Books claims about 3,220 results for...

self-appointed leader

(There are a few hundred more for self-appointed ruler, for example.)

I don't think self-appointed necessarily and inherently carries negative connotations, but it's possible not everyone shares that view. So you might also consider...

de facto - something generally accepted or agreed to without any formal decision in its favor:
“They never elected him; he became their leader de facto.” - dictionary.reference.com
“He is our de facto leader”

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