despotic

Also des·pot·i·cal

[dih-spot-ik]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or of the nature of a despot or despotism; autocratic; tyrannical.

Other Word Forms

• despotically adverb
• nondespotic adjective
• nondespotically adverb
• undespotic adjective
• undespotically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of despotic¹

1640–50; < French despotique < Greek despotikós. See despot, -ic

Example Sentences

"There is a path leading to a democratic transition from this semi-authoritarian, semi-constitutional system," he argues, "and there is a despotic path leading to a dictatorship."

From BBC

Chimpanzees comfort each other when in distress, despite typically being referred to as "violent" and "despotic" when compared to other apes.

From BBC

Fellow pupils remember him having an obsession with despotic figures including Genghis Khan and Adolf Hitler.

From BBC

But I continue to believe that there are more Americans who wish to preserve our democratic principles than abandon them for some sort of kleptocratic and despotic theocracy.

From Salon

In reality they were abandoned to poverty under the rule of despotic local leaders.

From BBC