as in dictators
a person who uses power or authority in a cruel, unjust, or harmful way
the despot exiled political dissidents to remote labor camps, where they were left to rot
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Recent Examples of despots
Thus, to be real peace-makers, whether Christian or not, responsible leaders need to be aware that the approach of pacifism often paves the way for dictators and despots to inflict more and more violence.
—
Bill Keane, Hartford Courant, 15 Mar. 2026
These despots will continue to lash out at America.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 4 Mar. 2026
Such an outcome would have broad economic consequences and allow despots yet unknown to reassert control even as Trump moves on to, say, Cuba.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026
During the show’s 2023 Broadway run, SRO audiences were encouraged to dance in place and ponder despots at the same time — a greater disassotiative challenge than walking and chewing gum at the same time, but hardly an insurmountable one.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 21 Feb. 2026
So what if the Engineers copied their own DNA to create humanity; how would the discovery of their existence further embolden the wealthy, who already see themselves as new gods, and drive further wedges between despots like the Five?
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2025
That’s reminiscent of what the despots of Eastern Europe did during the Cold War, building huge concrete apartment blocks with meager square-foot allotments per family.
—Betsy McCaughey, Boston Herald, 12 Sep. 2025
Bill Keane, Hartford Courant, 15 Mar. 2026
These despots will continue to lash out at America.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 4 Mar. 2026
Such an outcome would have broad economic consequences and allow despots yet unknown to reassert control even as Trump moves on to, say, Cuba.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026
During the show’s 2023 Broadway run, SRO audiences were encouraged to dance in place and ponder despots at the same time — a greater disassotiative challenge than walking and chewing gum at the same time, but hardly an insurmountable one.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 21 Feb. 2026
So what if the Engineers copied their own DNA to create humanity; how would the discovery of their existence further embolden the wealthy, who already see themselves as new gods, and drive further wedges between despots like the Five?
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2025
That’s reminiscent of what the despots of Eastern Europe did during the Cold War, building huge concrete apartment blocks with meager square-foot allotments per family.
—Betsy McCaughey, Boston Herald, 12 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despots
Noun
-
Although American forces have arrested Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and killed several Iranian leaders, removing the dictators has not dislodged the dictatorships in either Caracas or Tehran.—
David A. Graham,
The Atlantic,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Long before the birth of Julius Caesar, the Roman Republic appointed all-powerful dictators to protect their state in times of crisis.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Ready to meet the season's new allies, enemies, tyrants, and giants?—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Mar. 2026
-
At the time, Athens had just emerged from a period of dictatorship and some of his students had been among the tyrants who sought to take down Athens’ democracy.—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Despots.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despots. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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