despotism

despotism

noun

Definition of DESPOTISM

a system of government in which the ruler has unlimited power <by the end of the 20th century many countries around the world had rejected despotism in favor of democracy>

Synonyms absolutism, autarchy, authoritarianism, autocracy, Caesarism, czarism (also tsarism or tzarism), dictatorship, totalism, totalitarianism, tyranny

Related Words monarchism, monarchy, monocracy; Big Brother, Big Brotherism, Communism, fascism, Nazism; domination, oppression

Near Antonyms democracy, self-governance, self-government, self-rule; freedom, self-determination; autonomy, sovereignty (also sovranty)