despotic

[ dih-spot-ik ]

/ dɪˈspɒt ɪk /

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

Nearby words

Also des·pot·i·cal.

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

Related forms

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

The regime uses the day to tout the triumph of Islam over a despotic regime.
Iran's Execution Binge|Omid Memarian, Roja Heydarpour|February 5, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Another WikiLeaks spokesman was quoted as describing the Russian government as “despotic.”
Moscow's Bid to Blow Up WikiLeaks|Philip Shenon|November 30, 2010|DAILY BEAST
They have been despotic because they ruled in an area where they had too much common sense to attempt to be constitutional.
What I Saw in America|G. K. Chesterton
Char stopped in his immediate vicinity, and gave a couple of orders in her slow, despotic drawl.
The War-Workers|E.M. Delafield

But the few circumstances that fell under our observation, rather contradicted than confirmed the idea of a despotic government.
A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels, Vol. 15 (of 18)|Robert Kerr
In what despotic state has the injustice of precipitate decrees ever been thus ingenuously acknowledged and deplored?
A Philosophical Dictionary, Volume 4 (of 10)|Franois-Marie Arouet (AKA Voltaire)
The government of England was now, in all points but one, as despotic as that of France.
The History of England from the Accession of James II.|Thomas Babington Macaulay