1
as in arbitrary
exercising power or authority without interference by others
a nation ruled by a series of despotic rulers, each seemingly worse than the last
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in authoritarian
fond of ordering people around
the despotic coach demands that his players obey him without question
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of despotic
In these ways, Trump’s despotic acts are indeed without precedent in American history.
—
Patrick Eddington, Oc Register, 20 Apr. 2025
It was first created in 1942 specifically to serve as a foil to Axis disinformation and over the years became a beacon of hope to people living under all manner of totalitarian and despotic governments.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 18 Mar. 2025
The notion that these companies were sovereign enclaves of pitilessly despotic geniuses is a myth of recent vintage.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2025
Guaranteeing the people’s right to bear arms, both through state militias and as individuals, would serve as deterrence against federal leaders with despotic aspirations.
—Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for despotic
Patrick Eddington, Oc Register, 20 Apr. 2025
It was first created in 1942 specifically to serve as a foil to Axis disinformation and over the years became a beacon of hope to people living under all manner of totalitarian and despotic governments.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 18 Mar. 2025
The notion that these companies were sovereign enclaves of pitilessly despotic geniuses is a myth of recent vintage.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2025
Guaranteeing the people’s right to bear arms, both through state militias and as individuals, would serve as deterrence against federal leaders with despotic aspirations.
—Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for despotic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despotic
Adjective
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This anecdote is a perfect snapshot of Jameela’s lifelong refusal to accept arbitrary rules.—
Mandeep Rai,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
-
Choosing a side for the wall would have been arbitrary.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
22 June 2025
Adjective
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The Iranian state is a competitive authoritarian system with institutions that have evolved over a century.—
Narges Bajoghli,
Time,
19 June 2025
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Democracy organizations worldwide document how authoritarian regimes and opportunistic politicians weaponize AI to consolidate power.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2025
Adjective
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The decision to leave Iran was driven by the oppressive changes following the Iranian Revolution in 1979 concerning the treatment of women.—
Ashley J. DiMella,
FOXNews.com,
16 June 2025
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Companies that left were celebrated, those companies that did not join in divesting their interests in this oppressive regime were ostracised, and the South African government was dealt a measurable blow.—
Frank Altman,
Forbes.com,
9 June 2025
Adjective
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Despite his character's domineering presence, Morse told ScreenRant there's more than meets the eye.—
Allison DeGrushe Published,
EW.com,
18 June 2025
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It was then put to Tuchel that the show’s host Adrian Durham has friends who think England would be better off without Bellingham in the team, referring to that domineering personality.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
13 June 2025
Adjective
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The protests proved conclusively that Americans will not tolerate the deployment of the U.S. military in American cities, the constant line-stepping over constitutional boundaries, the arrests of political dissenters, or the arrogant defense of police-state tactics.—
Newsweek Staff,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 June 2025
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In Aesop’s fable, the turtle (traditionally called a tortoise, which is a type of turtle) is a winner, a perpetual underdog who defeats the arrogant hare.—
A.O. Scott,
New York Times,
13 June 2025
Adjective
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This was the fantasy in 1953, when the CIA and the British intelligence overthrew Mohammad Mossadegh, Iran’s prime minister who had nationalized the country’s oil, and delivered Iran to Mohammad Reza Pahlavi’s autocratic rule.—
Narges Bajoghli,
Time,
19 June 2025
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Most Third World states, for example, that were born as democracies lapsed into dictatorships or became autocratic shortly after independence.—
ASHLEY J. TELLIS,
Foreign Affairs,
17 June 2025
Adjective
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In the sequel, Atwood focuses on how tyrannical regimes destroy themselves.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
28 May 2025
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The judiciary is the last obstacle to a president with designs on tyrannical rule.—
Sonam Sheth,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 May 2025
Adjective
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Even his former closest associates now acknowledge that his political efforts have not lasted more than a few weeks or at most a few months, due to his dictatorial approach.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 June 2025
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Making a dictatorial decision could come back to haunt you as Mars and Uranus clash.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
15 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Despotic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despotic. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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