despot
noun
a king or other ruler with absolute, unlimited power; autocrat.
despots
-
pluralof despot.plural
The grammatical form denoting more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
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.
Whitewashing or altering them because of the sins of their subjects is out of the playbook of despots who erase history or twist it to suit modern-day needs.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 19, 2026
We don’t like despots and dictators and monarchs or anything smacking of royalty.
From Slate ● Feb. 16, 2026
Mr. Loconte outlines how their belief in the God-given dignity of man set them at odds with foreign despots and those in England with similar political designs.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 22, 2026
These may include African despots as well as someone like Jean-Claude Duvalier, better known as Baby Doc, from the Caribbean nation of Haiti.
From Salon ● Jan. 7, 2024
He sur-vived going against the wishes of despots and dictators in some of the most dangerous and war-torn jungles in the world.
From "Shelter (Book One): A Mickey Bolitar Novel" by Harlan Coben
