potentate vs dictator

potentate and dictator both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
potentate	Yes	No	No	No
dictator	Yes	No	No	No

As nouns, potentate and dictator are synonyms defined as:

potentate (noun)	dictator (noun)
a ruler who is unconstrained by law	a ruler who is unconstrained by law
	a person who behaves in a tyrannical manner
	a speaker who dictates to a secretary or a recording machine