as in tyrant
a person who uses power or authority in a cruel, unjust, or harmful way
the despot exiled political dissidents to remote labor camps, where they were left to rot
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of despot
In 1996, the end of the Cold War had radically altered the dynamics propping up a generation of African despots.
—
Michela Wrong, Foreign Affairs, 3 Mar. 2025
Our foundational document, held and displayed in the National Archives building on the National Mall, insists that all men are created equal and rails against the tyranny of despots and kings.
—Elaine Weiss, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2025
In 1996, the end of the Cold War had radically altered the dynamics propping up a generation of African despots.
—Michela Wrong, Foreign Affairs, 3 Mar. 2025
This notion probably came as news to Zelenskyy, who has spent three years now contending with what seems to us a much bigger threat to Europe, Russia’s armed forces and the despot willing to use them to further his designs.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 15 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for despot
Michela Wrong, Foreign Affairs, 3 Mar. 2025
Our foundational document, held and displayed in the National Archives building on the National Mall, insists that all men are created equal and rails against the tyranny of despots and kings.
—Elaine Weiss, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2025
In 1996, the end of the Cold War had radically altered the dynamics propping up a generation of African despots.
—Michela Wrong, Foreign Affairs, 3 Mar. 2025
This notion probably came as news to Zelenskyy, who has spent three years now contending with what seems to us a much bigger threat to Europe, Russia’s armed forces and the despot willing to use them to further his designs.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 15 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for despot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despot
Noun
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But is that the same for employees who work for a tyrant?—
Daniel Arkin,
NBC news,
30 May 2025
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History teaches us that tyrants typically consolidate their power by mocking intellectuals.—
Elisa Manfredini,
Time,
14 June 2025
Noun
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His meetings with the Russian dictator last for hours.—
Andrew Ryvkin,
The Atlantic,
16 June 2025
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The signs and costumes were the real show, ranging from clever wordplay and depictions of President Donald Trump as a dictator, to profane expressions calling for an end to ICE raids that had been conducted in the city for about a week prior.—
R. Daniel Foster,
Forbes.com,
15 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Despot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despot. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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