despotic

[ dih-spot-ik ]

/ dɪˈspɒt ɪk /

Save This Word!

adjective

of, relating to, or of the nature of a despot or despotism; autocratic; tyrannical.

QUIZ

CUDDLE UP! A COZY QUIZ ON FALL WORDS HAS ARRIVED

If autumn is your ideal season, spice up your repertoire of "fall" vocabulary with this quiz on some warm and vivid descriptive words for the season.

Question 1 of 10

Which of the following words means “to make a crackling sound; crackle”?

Meet Grammar Coach

Also des·pot·i·cal .

Origin of despotic

1640–50; <French despotique<Greek despotikós.See despot, -ic

des·pot·i·cal·ly, adverbnon·des·pot·ic, adjectivenon·des·pot·i·cal·ly, adverbun·des·pot·ic, adjective

un·des·pot·i·cal·ly, adverb

“As we continue to aid and arm despotic regimes in Egypt, we are also now sending weapons to the rebels in Syria,” Paul said.
For Rand Paul, Footnotes Do Not Equal Accuracy|Josh Rogin|November 12, 2013|DAILY BEAST
But President Obama would look despotic if he embraced this tactic.
Why Not Mint a 100 Trillion Dollar Platinum Coin?||January 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The shah returned to become even more despotic until his own overthrow in 1979 by Ayatollah Khomeini.
This Week’s Hot Reads: May 23, 2012|Nicholas Mancusi, Malcolm Jones, Lucas Wittmann|May 23, 2012|DAILY BEAST
They created a system of government with checks and balances so that no branch of government would become despotic.
Still a Fast-Food Nation: Eric Schlosser Reflects on 10 Years Later|Eric Schlosser|March 12, 2012|DAILY BEAST

As despotic regimes across the Arab world crumble or battle for survival, what lies ahead?
What Will Be the Next Middle East Shock?|Rob Verger|February 24, 2011|DAILY BEAST
The most extraordinary and despotic measures were adopted by acclamation to meet the fearful emergency.
Madame Roland, Makers of History|John S. C. Abbott
The manhood of Homestead rebelled: the millmen scorned the despotic ultimatum.
Prison Memoirs of an Anarchist|Alexander Berkman
Fascination is despotic; beauty is something more tangible and independent of opinion.
The 'Characters' of Jean de La Bruyre|Jean de La Bruyre
Humble as Lecamus seemed to the outer world, he was despotic in his own home; there he was an autocrat.
Catherine de' Medici|Honore de Balzac
Each sect has endeavored to make its God a monarch the most redoubtable, the greatest, the most despotic, and the most selfish.
Letters To Eugenia|Paul Henri Thiry Holbach