despotic

adjective

des·​pot·​ic de-ˈspä-tik 

di-

: of, relating to, or characteristic of a despot

a despotic government

despotically

de-ˈspä-ti-k(ə-)lē 

di-

adverb

Synonyms of despotic

• oppressive
• authoritarian
• arbitrary
• autocratic
• tyrannical
• dictatorial
• tyrannous

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

The pretence of an absolute, irresistible, despotic power, existing in every government somewhere, is incompatible with the first principle of natural right. — Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026

The Academy rules work for countries with democratic governments but not for countries with despotic regimes. — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 4 May 2026

Hard to Be a God is about a planet that has not been allowed to advance beyond the Middle Ages, and descended into a filthy, despotic, and violent world. — James Folta, Literary Hub, 14 Apr. 2026

Remarkably, among the foremost critics of Cuba’s single-party despotic rule is one of Castro’s own daughters, Alina Fernández Revuelta. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 11 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see despot

First Known Use

1604, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for despotic

• aprotic
• aquatic
• biotic
• chaotic
• cirrhotic
• demotic
• dichotic
• erotic
• euphotic
• exotic
• fibrotic
• hieratic