1
as in oppressive
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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2
as in authoritarian
fond of ordering people around
the despotic coach demands that his players obey him without question
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Recent Examples of despotic
The book explains the world order as three despotic governments that horrifically dominate their citizens, control their respective satellite allies and are always at war.
—
Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Feb. 2026
Healing the nation Up to 1,400 people were killed in the July 2024 revolution that toppled Hasina in addition to some 3,500 extrajudicially disappeared during the last 15 years of her despotic reign.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 13 Feb. 2026
The first Mistborn trilogy of books centered on metal-using magicians who attempt to overthrow a despotic empire.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 28 Jan. 2026
For close to 50 years, the government of Iran has been one of the most despotic and destabilizing forces in the world.
—Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for despotic
Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Feb. 2026
Healing the nation Up to 1,400 people were killed in the July 2024 revolution that toppled Hasina in addition to some 3,500 extrajudicially disappeared during the last 15 years of her despotic reign.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 13 Feb. 2026
The first Mistborn trilogy of books centered on metal-using magicians who attempt to overthrow a despotic empire.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 28 Jan. 2026
For close to 50 years, the government of Iran has been one of the most despotic and destabilizing forces in the world.
—Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for despotic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despotic
Adjective
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The dialogue is well-crafted, the Southern atmosphere (Atlanta doubling Savannah, with Savannah here and there standing for itself) suitably oppressive.—
Robert Lloyd,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
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Dew points above 65 degrees indicate a high level of moisture in the air, making the heat oppressive.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
2 June 2026
Adjective
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Regardless of why Americans express neutrality, those who do so are just as likely to vote for authoritarian politicians as the relatively small number of Americans (less than 1 in 5) who explicitly support undemocratic practices.—
Matthew E.K. Hall,
Chicago Tribune,
6 June 2026
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Safety regulations – intended to constrain corporate power – in authoritarian regimes become tools to coerce compliance.—
Michael Gregory,
The Conversation,
4 June 2026
Adjective
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As a result, the exploit can decrement the variable an arbitrary number of times and then delete and free the chain when some objects still point to it.—
Dan Goodin,
ArsTechnica,
9 June 2026
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The French overthrew millennia of arbitrary hereditary rule but soon devolved into terror and war.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
8 June 2026
Adjective
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Galitzine is taking on the iconic role of Adam Glenn, an exiled alien on Earth who learns that the domineering villain Skeletor is terrorizing his home world of Eternia.—
Keith Langston,
PEOPLE,
6 June 2026
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Haverill is introduced in season 1 as a domineering borough commander who antagonizes Det.—
Britt Hayes,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 June 2026
Adjective
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But there simply aren’t that many people who want an autocratic America.—
Matthew E.K. Hall,
Chicago Tribune,
6 June 2026
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Putin was also at the parade, with the three autocratic leaders putting on an unprecedented show of unity.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
5 June 2026
Adjective
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As Molloy gradually succeeds in puncturing Lestat’s aloof, arrogant outer shell, his sound correspondingly shifts from assaultive punk to more contemplative ballads.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
7 June 2026
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But Lobo isn't some mindless arrogant hulk out to impose his indomitable will.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
6 June 2026
Adjective
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The bony villain is a warlock who stole the throne of Eternia from King Randor and now rules it with a tyrannical fist.—
Brianna Zigler,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 June 2026
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Independence for the 13 colonies was in the interest of anyone, anywhere, who believed the only remedy for tyrannical authority was for people to govern themselves.—
Michael Kazin,
The Atlantic,
3 June 2026
Adjective
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As pointed out by Cox, Zagallo was only brought in as manager in the March of 1970 after his predecessor, Saldanha, had fallen out with Brazil’s dictatorial president Emilio Medici.—
Will Jeanes,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
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Yet, the courage and determination of lawyers who insist upon proper enforcement of the law, even in corrupt and dictatorial regimes, stand as their own form of powerful dissent.—
Irwin Cotler,
Time,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Despotic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despotic. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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