noun
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the rule of a despot; arbitrary, absolute, or tyrannical government
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arbitrary or tyrannical authority or behaviour
Discover More
The term usually suggests unscrupulous rule, or tyranny.
Etymology
Origin of despotism
From the French word despotisme, dating back to 1720–30. See despot, -ism
Explanation
Despotism is a way of ruling in which the leader has total, unchecked power. Joseph Stalin purged the Soviet Union of all his opponents in order to rule the country through despotism. He didn’t have many friends. Despotism can also describe tyranny, the wielding of power through cruelty and terror. It's often used in reference to a country that's ruled by a dictator, but despotism can describe any situation characterized by oppression and threats. When your sister threatens to send all of your friends embarrassing baby photos of you if you don’t let her control the TV remote, that’s despotism.
Vocabulary lists containing despotism
Some Political and Philosophical -isms
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Power Suffix: -ism
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George H.W. Bush (1924 -2018) Tribute List
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A closing chapter in Alexis de Tocqueville’s “Democracy in America” is titled “What Sort of Despotism Democratic Nations Have to Fear.”
From Salon • May 17, 2025
“Both artificial Aristocracy, and Monarchy, and civil, military, political and hierarchical Despotism, have all grown out of the natural Aristocracy of ‘Virtues and Talents,’ ” he wrote.
From The New Yorker • May 23, 2019
Despotism is the enemy of the people, while a free press is the despot’s enemy and a guardian of democracy, Flake said.
From The Guardian • Jan. 17, 2018
The Simplest of all possible Governments is a Despotism in one.”
From New York Times • Dec. 31, 2011
But what gave Despotism its sting was its uncertainty.
From The Conflict of Religions in the Early Roman Empire by Glover, T. R. (Terrot Reaveley)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
