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
The dance, not seen in years, is loosely based on the play by Eugene O’Neill, about an arrogant despot undone by his demons.
—
Shauna Lyon, New Yorker, 15 Aug. 2025
By most historical accounts, the Roman Emperor Caligula was a nightmare–a sadistic, debaucherous, and unstable despot.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 10 July 2025
In one hour, the Georgian despot’s bodyguard will knock on the hotel-room door and make Alec very rich.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 12 June 2025
There are enough despots around the world using the same divisive techniques — misinformation, disinformation — to control people.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for despot
Shauna Lyon, New Yorker, 15 Aug. 2025
By most historical accounts, the Roman Emperor Caligula was a nightmare–a sadistic, debaucherous, and unstable despot.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 10 July 2025
In one hour, the Georgian despot’s bodyguard will knock on the hotel-room door and make Alec very rich.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 12 June 2025
There are enough despots around the world using the same divisive techniques — misinformation, disinformation — to control people.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for despot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despot
Noun
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So, the politicians must do more than push back against the White House tyrant.—
Laura Washington,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Sep. 2025
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And while the band's frontman Freddie Mercury only made it into his 40s, the song's question continues to haunt people—especially aging tyrants who fear that the icy hand of death is upon their shoulder and want far more time to ensure both national and personal glory.—
Nate Anderson,
ArsTechnica,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Her party, the Brothers of Italy, was founded by followers of former dictator Benito Mussolini as a post-fascist movement following WWII.—
Dan Gooding
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
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For Machado and the Venezuelan opposition, embracing a narrative in which Maduro is a drug lord, not just a dictator, is a bit of a gamble.—
Gisela Salim-Peyer,
The Atlantic,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Despot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despot. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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