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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Recent Examples of despotism
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
For decades, his despotism and depravity was limited to the long-suffering Russian people.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 15 Mar. 2024
Authoritarians claim that only after scapegoats are purged can a nation be remade in the image of its strong leader, even as the nation, in purging those enemies, degenerates into despotism and lawlessness.
—Richard Cherwitz, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2024
The New York Times argued that Tweed’s prosecution offered a chance for New York City to rid itself of corruption, attract business and finance, and show new immigrants that America was a beacon for those fleeing despotism in other parts of the world.
—Ray Brescia / Made By History, TIME, 20 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for despotism 
Eric Levitz, Vox, 3 June 2024
For decades, his despotism and depravity was limited to the long-suffering Russian people.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 15 Mar. 2024
Authoritarians claim that only after scapegoats are purged can a nation be remade in the image of its strong leader, even as the nation, in purging those enemies, degenerates into despotism and lawlessness.
—Richard Cherwitz, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2024
The New York Times argued that Tweed’s prosecution offered a chance for New York City to rid itself of corruption, attract business and finance, and show new immigrants that America was a beacon for those fleeing despotism in other parts of the world.
—Ray Brescia / Made By History, TIME, 20 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for despotism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despotism
Noun
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When Lorne Greene, Richard Hatch, Dirk Benedict, and the rest of their ragtag fugitive fleet fled the Cylon tyranny, one of their first ports of call was the pleasure planet of Carillon for a spot of R&R.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
15 Jan. 2025
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During that terrifying first year of tyranny, Mon Mothma, Saw Gerrera, and Bail Organa face the encroaching darkness.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
14 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Since the peaceful revolution against the Assad dictatorship in 2012, the United States found ways to advance change.—
Brandon Hoffman,
New York Daily News,
16 Jan. 2025
-
For his part, Rubio kept a serious stance while making his case for the new role and speaking out against dictatorship regimes, but also, kept several exchanges with senators lighter at times.—
Claudia Grisales,
NPR,
15 Jan. 2025
Noun
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In response, autocracies such as China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia militarize against the United States and try to divide its alliances and subvert its democracy.—
Michael Beckley,
Foreign Affairs,
7 Jan. 2025
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According to a European survey of more than two hundred countries, 2022 was the first time in two decades that closed autocracies outnumbered liberal democracies in the world.—
Chang Che,
The New Yorker,
21 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Juan Bernabe, 56, was already a controversial figure at the club for his open support of fascism, but his up-and-down career came to an end after Sunday’s Instagram posts, The Athletic reported.—
Joseph Wilkinson,
New York Daily News,
14 Jan. 2025
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The series tells the story of the birth of fascism in Italy and the rise to power of Benito Mussolini.—
Billboard Italy,
Billboard,
13 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Despotism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despotism. Accessed 28 Jan. 2025.
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