despotic

adjective

des·​pot·​ic de-ˈspä-tik How to pronounce despotic (audio)
di-
: of, relating to, or characteristic of a despot
a despotic government
despotically adverb

Examples of despotic in a Sentence

a nation ruled by a series of despotic rulers, each seemingly worse than the last the despotic coach demands that his players obey him without question
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Especially right now, when most of whatever happens next would seem to be determined by arbitrary and despotic centers of earthly power. James Parker, The Atlantic, 7 Oct. 2025 The emergency has become the rule, transforming exceptional powers into the ordinary machinery of despotic governance. Beatriz Magaloni, Foreign Affairs, 11 Sep. 2025 This is how legal systems in despotic regimes operate. Andrew Binns, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025 The Academy rules work for countries with democratic governments but not for countries with despotic regimes. Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 28 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for despotic

Word History

Etymology

see despot

First Known Use

1604, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of despotic was in 1604

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Cite this Entry

“Despotic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/despotic. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.

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