Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Characteristic of an absolute ruler or absolute rule; having absolute sovereignty: Describes a system, government, or ruler that holds and exercises complete, unrestricted power, often without the consent of the governed.
   • Ruled by or characteristic of a despot: Pertaining to the qualities or actions of a despot, which typically include the arbitrary and often cruel exercise of authority.
   • Belonging to or having the characteristics of a despot: Possessing the traits associated with a despot, such as arrogance, oppression, and the expectation of absolute obedience.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The country suffered for decades under a despotic regime that suppressed all dissent.
  • His despotic management style left employees feeling powerless and fearful.
  • Historians often describe the emperor's later years as increasingly despotic and paranoid.

Advanced Usage

• "despotic power": Power that is absolute and unchecked by any other institution or law.
  • The king wielded despotic power, answering to no parliament or constitution.
• "despotic control": Complete and often oppressive domination over a group, organization, or territory.
  • The general maintained despotic control over the province through a network of informants.

Variants and Related Words

• Despot (n): A ruler or other person who holds absolute power, typically one who exercises it in a cruel or oppressive way.
  • The revolution aimed to overthrow the despot.
• Despotism (n): The exercise of absolute power, especially in a cruel and oppressive way; a political system where a ruler holds such power.
  • The nation transitioned from a monarchy to a brutal despotism.

Synonyms

• Autocratic: Relating to a ruler who has absolute power.
• Dictatorial: Characteristic of a dictator; imperious and overbearing.
• Tyrannical: Exercising power in a cruel or arbitrary way.
• Authoritarian: Favoring or enforcing strict obedience to authority at the expense of personal freedom.

Antonyms

• Democratic: Relating to or supporting democracy or its principles.
• Egalitarian: Believing in or based on the principle that all people are equal and deserve equal rights and opportunities.
• Constitutional: Limited by or in accordance with a constitution that defines and restricts powers.

Adjective

1. characteristic of an absolute ruler or absolute rule; having absolute sovereignty
   • an authoritarian regime
   • autocratic government
   • despotic rulers
   • a dictatorial rule that lasted for the duration of the war
   • a tyrannical government
2. ruled by or characteristic of a despot
   • moved from a feudal to a despotic order
   • his administration was arrogant and despotic
3. belonging to or having the characteristics of a despot