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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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 story began with Joel (Pedro Pascal), a hardened survivor, getting hired to smuggle Ellie (Bella Ramsey), a 14-year-old girl, out of an oppressive quarantine zone.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
11 June 2026
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But amid all the oppressive government’s inculcation in the name of plummeting birthrates, girls will be girls.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
11 June 2026
Adjective
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How the inextricable combinations of lyrical narratives and distortion-addled arrangements served as salient commentaries on authoritarian power and artificial intelligence, as well as science denialism, knee-bending capitulation and unrestrained wealth.—
Bob Gendron,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Aug. 2025
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Critics have called it an unnecessary authoritarian takeover of the District, which has seen its crime statistics fall in recent years.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The anniversary feels arbitrary to Tran, a math teacher.—
Terry Tang,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
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Instead, falling gas tax revenues are replaced by a collection of arbitrary fees, sending no clear message to motorists.—
George Liebmann,
Baltimore Sun,
13 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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Indeed, the King would later establish the Instrument of Foundation of the Royal Academy as a more autocratic counterpart.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
8 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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Washington State’s beauty is almost arrogant in its expansiveness.—
C Pam Zhang,
Travel + Leisure,
11 June 2026
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The question, then, is why so many people would still say that England fans have this arrogant expectation about the quality of their own team?—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
Adjective
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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
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However, to embrace his destiny Adam must become He-Man, return to his home planet, reclaim the Sword of Power and save his people from the tyrannical Skeletor.—
Stephen Schaefer,
Boston Herald,
1 June 2026
Adjective
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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
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Leavitt also pointed to rhetoric from Democrats and others in the media, claiming that their rhetoric accusing the president of being a dictatorial figure contributed to an environment that inspired political violence.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Despotic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despotic. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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