despotic

adjective

de-ˈspä-tik How to pronounce despotic (audio)
Definition of despoticnext
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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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of despotic Possibly to a way of life that not only survives many kinds of precarity—cruel weather, scanty income, a despotic army—but that even molds itself to them. — Samanth Subramanian, New Yorker, 2 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 The monarchist movement has not governed Iran since 1979, and its corrupt, despotic leader was overthrown in the revolution. — Farah N. Jan, The Conversation, 10 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for despotic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despotic
  1. oppressive
  2. authoritarian
  3. arbitrary
  4. domineering
  5. autocratic
  6. arrogant
  7. tyrannical
  8. dictatorial
Adjective
  • The trope, fair or not, has often overshadowed the fact that science fiction and horror are absolutely perfect bedfellows, with outer space's total isolation, tiny quarters, and oppressive vastness perfectly suited for the horror genre.
    — Matthew Razak, Space.com, 26 July 2026
  • Crews are working nonstop to meet Mayor Karen Bass’ mid-August deadline to clear out 85 million pounds of food that continues to rot in oppressive heat.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 25 July 2026
Definition of oppressive
Adjective
  • This is different than the private enrichment model of typical authoritarian regimes where wealth accumulates through corruption and consists of private assets, offshore accounts, companies and family fortunes.
    — Natasha Lindstaedt, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • But Alicia soon begins to suspect that her daughter is one of the children grotesquely stolen from the desaparecidos, dissidents disappeared by the country’s authoritarian junta, and that her husband might be in on the repugnant scheme.
    — David Faris, TheWeek, 27 July 2026
Definition of authoritarian
Adjective
  • The rational response to such arbitrary power is not to satisfy consumer demands, but to keep in the good graces of the Big Player.
    — Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 27 July 2026
  • Keeping a dog leashed in bear country is not an arbitrary rule designed to ruin anyone’s fun.
    — Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 26 July 2026
Definition of arbitrary
Adjective
  • That’s a little too farcical for the moment, and the final cut lands more in a place of domineering intrigue.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 13 July 2026
  • His domineering physical appearance coupled with his goofy online persona have contributed to the craze.
    — Kaitlyn Huamani, Fortune, 13 July 2026
Definition of domineering
Adjective
  • My answer focuses on the role of autocratic political elites – that is, the party officials, military officers and other regime insiders who control the state.
    — José Kaire, The Conversation, 17 July 2026
  • His government has promised political and economic reform after decades of autocratic rule of the Assad family, which ended when former President Bashar Assad was ousted in an insurgent offensive in December 2024 led by al-Sharaa.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 July 2026
Definition of autocratic
Adjective
  • Odysseus is a complex character known for being brilliant and crafty, but also being somewhat of an arrogant trickster.
    — Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026
  • Under normal conditions, someone who’s bossy or pushy can come across as arrogant and annoying.
    — Matthew Pittman, The Conversation, 17 July 2026
Definition of arrogant
Adjective
  • The Hawaiians viewed the new rules as tyrannical; those with the disease were wont to hide in the hills of the islands, forever on the run.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 July 2026
  • Earth’s fighters team up to stop the tyrannical emperor Shao Kahn, with the help of the deadly Edenian princess Kitana.
    — Arushi Jacob, Variety, 17 July 2026
Definition of tyrannical
Adjective
  • 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, 20 June 2026
  • Perhaps, no seriously, this is the continuation of the overshadowing dictatorial style coming from Washington, as evidenced flowing through the Paramount takeover of CBS and the subsequent displacement of other highly qualified CBS talent.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 7 June 2026
Definition of dictatorial

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Cite this Entry

“Despotic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despotic. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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