despotism

noun

ˈde-spə-ˌti-zəm How to pronounce despotism (audio)
Definition of despotismnext
as in tyranny
a system of government in which the ruler has unlimited power by the end of the 20th century many countries around the world had rejected despotism in favor of democracy

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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 despotism The hope is that the institutional reforms started by the interim administration of Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus deliver the necessary checks and balances to avert another lurch toward despotism. — Charlie Campbell, Time, 28 Jan. 2026 The strength and powers of despotism consist wholly in the fear of resisting it. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 16 Nov. 2025 That’s authoritarian bluster of the sort heard in despotisms. — Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 4 Oct. 2025 The Bashar Assad regime’s collapse inspired a wave of optimism about despotism turning into democracy. — Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 26 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for despotism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despotism
  1. tyranny
  2. dictatorship
  3. fascism
  4. autocracy
Noun
  • In the film, out September 11, Garfield plays Ploughman, the legendary leader of a ferocious rebellion against the tyranny of King Richard II.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 16 July 2026
  • Ḥusayn’s death became for the Shiʿah a symbol of selfless resistance against worldly injustice and tyranny and is commemorated with lamentation each year on Ashura.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 July 2026
Definition of tyranny
Noun
  • The 1978 World Cup edition was played in and won by an Argentina ruled by a military dictatorship that forcibly disappeared thousands of people.
    — Minky Worden, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • They were invaded in 1982 under orders from Argentina’s then-military dictatorship, triggering a 10-week war won by Britain.
    — Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026
Definition of dictatorship
Noun
  • Voters have already handed a good chunk of democracy itself over to nationalist, religious and ideological fascism.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026
  • The Soviet experience, on top of the rise of fascism, reminded my generation rather forcibly that man was, indeed, imperfect, and that the corruptions of power could unleash great evil in the world.
    — David Brooks, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026
Definition of fascism
Noun
  • Worse, many of the 92 autocracies around the world are becoming more repressive.
    — José Kaire, Fortune, 19 July 2026
  • About half of all autocracies have experienced similar trajectories after opening their economies.
    — José Kaire, The Conversation, 17 July 2026
Definition of autocracy

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Cite this Entry

“Despotism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despotism. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on despotism

Nglish: Translation of despotism for Spanish Speakers

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