Synonyms of despots

despots

noun

plural of despot

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dictators
• tyrants
• pharaohs
• rulers
• warlords
• oppressors
• strongmen
• kings
• tycoons
• princes
• leaders
• men on horseback
• overlords
• magnates
• autocrats
• caesars
• monarchs
• potentates
• barons
• führers
• totalitarians
• authoritarians
• tyrannizers
• dominators
• lords
• bosses
• sovereigns
• caudillos
• masters
• czars
• chiefs
• Big Brothers
• queens
• moguls
• captains
• kingpins
• paramounts
• enforcers
• monocrats
• taskmasters
• autarchs
• disciplinarians
• martinets
• discipliners

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of despots

In this telling, Ivan appears as a precursor to Stalin and other ruinous Russian despots. — Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026

Of all the despots in the region, the Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad was perhaps the most ruthless in crushing dissent. — Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026

The invisible power of the unelected despots of data and tech lords must be diminished; if families cannot control the disaster of digital addiction, states will have to legislate for them. — Simon Sebag Montefiore, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026

The Boys – Season 5 (Prime Video) Things have gone from bad to worse in the final season of The Boys, Prime Video’s irreverent superhero satire about America succumbing to charismatic despots and fascistic opportunists. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026

Underlying such obvious acts of aggression lies an insidious tendency for transnational repression to flow from despots into democracies, oppressing lawyers of all nationalities in the process. — Irwin Cotler, Time, 8 May 2026

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