Qadhafi, also commonly spelled as Gaddafi, has been associated with a number of synonyms due to the controversial persona of the Libyan leader. Some of the synonyms for Qadhafi include despot, dictator, tyrant, autocrat, and megalomaniac. These terms highlight Qadhafi's oppressive and authoritarian rule over Libya during his long tenure as the country's leader. Other synonyms for Qadhafi include revolutionary and nationalist, which describe his earlier years of power when he led a coup against the monarchy in Libya, and attempted to modernize the country. Despite the mixed reactions Qadhafi elicited from the world, his name and legacy remain prominent in global politics and history.