China

Did the liberals redefine dictatorship to mean absolute authority by one brutal ruler?

Yes, literally yes. This is how it is used colloquially in many parts of the US, Kim Jong Un and Xi are both literally the strongest men in their whole societies and everyone listens to everything they say at all times. Zero material or class analysis.

This is also how they think of Hitler. He literally controlled it all in their minds, and I genuinely believe this is why they sympathize with Nazis so much because they genuinely believe fascism isn't an oiled machine funded by many arms of capital and people, but is truly a brainwashed population completely subservient to one person. Like I said, no class or material analysis. Embarrassing.

Edit: Further, I have had acquaintances who know I'm a communist and heard me use "DoTP" before ask me in good faith - "So why do you think a dictatorship is the way to go? Why one person?"

They were not being rude or bad faith. They were trying to understand my position and did not even consider the possibility that I am talking in class dictatorship terms. It's very sad to see.