despotism

[ des-puh-tiz-uhm ]
See synonyms for despotism on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. the rule of a despot; the exercise of absolute authority.

  2. absolute power or control; tyranny.

  1. an absolute or autocratic government.

  2. a country ruled by a despot.

Origin of despotism

1
From the French word despotisme, dating back to 1720–30. See despot, -ism

Words Nearby despotism

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use despotism in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for despotism

despotism

/ (ˈdɛspəˌtɪzəm) /


noun
  1. the rule of a despot; arbitrary, absolute, or tyrannical government

  2. arbitrary or tyrannical authority or behaviour

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for despotism

despotism

[ (des-puh-tiz-uhm) ]


Unlimited political rule by one person.

Notes for despotism

The term usually suggests unscrupulous rule, or tyranny.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.