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 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 That seems to me to be an absolutely clear point, that only despotic regimes do that stuff. — Katie Drummond, Wired News, 19 May 2026 The Academy rules work for countries with democratic governments but not for countries with despotic regimes. — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 4 May 2026 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 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
  • Resident's death under investigation The Middlesex County District Attorney's office, as well as the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, are examining whether the oppressive heat played any role in the resident's death.
    — Kristina Rex, CBS News, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The combination was as oppressive as the thermometer reading.
    — Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of oppressive
Adjective
  • El Sistema was founded decades before Hugo Chavez came to power in a populist revolution that quickly turned authoritarian.
    — Max Feliu, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026
  • What readers are saying The comments express overwhelming disapproval and outrage over the idea of live-streaming a public execution, likening it to barbaric practices of authoritarian regimes and terrorist groups.
    — Aoife Walsh, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of authoritarian
Adjective
  • But labor campaigners said in the statement that their wage demand wasn’t arbitrary.
    — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The initiative has not yet produced a universal virtual cell capable of accurately predicting arbitrary biological responses.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of arbitrary
Adjective
  • Sources said Gunning plays Annie, a quietly dutiful wife who has sacrificed her ambitions to raise four sons under her domineering husband, Duncan.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Fern proves himself as a true actor’s director, offering plum roles to Paulson, Watts and two-time Oscar winner Dianne Wiest as their chaotic and domineering mother.
    — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of domineering
Adjective
  • Political transitions are the midnight hour for all autocratic regimes.
    — Andy Browne, semafor.com, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Lampooning authority is even common in autocratic societies where governments spend large sums of money suppressing speech.
    — Christopher von Rueden, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of autocratic
Adjective
  • Wright was known to be arrogant, and his self-importance is on full display here.
    — Wendy S. Walters, Architectural Digest, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Georg, an unemployed auto mechanic, comes across as an arrogant jock.
    — Alex Ross, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of arrogant
Adjective
  • Putting your face on the passport, like forcing your name onto another President’s memorial, is a symptom of tyrannical egotism, exactly opposite to the republican premise.
    — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Domingo played the tyrannical show-biz patriarch Joe Jackson in the movie.
    — Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of tyrannical
Adjective
  • Trump launched aggressive moves against the dictatorial regime of Nicolás Maduro last year.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Standing before her guards, the increasingly dictatorial ruler proclaims herself as the Chosen One to the people of King's Landing.
    — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of dictatorial

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despotic
despotism
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Cite this Entry

“Despotic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despotic. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

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