despotism

noun

des·​po·​tism ˈde-spə-ˌti-zəm 

1

a

: oppressive absolute (see absolute sense 2) power and authority exerted by government : rule by a despot

an excess of law is despotism, from which free men revolt

—S. B. Pettengill

b

: oppressive or despotic exercise of power

educational despotism

2

a

: a system of government in which the ruler has unlimited power : absolutism

b

: a despotic state

enduring the despotism of the czars

Synonyms

• absolutism
• autarchy
• authoritarianism
• autocracy
• Caesarism
• czarism
• tsarism
• tzarism
• dictatorship
• totalism
• totalitarianism
• tyranny

Examples of despotism in a Sentence

by the end of the 20th century many countries around the world had rejected despotism in favor of democracy

Recent Examples on the Web

Although Adolf Hitler met his road to perdition, Joseph Stalin survived and extended his despotism. —Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 14 Mar. 2024

His thug military’s attacks — and those of his thug street enforcers known as colectivos — on Venezuelans who’ve taken to the streets to protest his Gómez-ish despotism? —Tim Padgett, Orlando Sentinel, 9 Aug. 2024

Democracy has its faults, but so, too, does every variety of despotism. —Madeleine K. Albright, Foreign Affairs, 19 Oct. 2021

The Netanyahu government is not fighting to liberate Gazans from despotism and establish the foundations for a two-state solution. —Eric Levitz, Vox, 3 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

see despot

First Known Use

circa 1727, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

despotism

noun

des·​po·​tism ˈdes-pə-ˌtiz-əm 

1

: rule by a despot : tyranny

2

: a state or a system of government in which the ruler has unlimited power