despotism

[des-puh-tiz-uhm]

noun

1. the rule of a despot; the exercise of absolute authority.

2. absolute power or control; tyranny.

3. an absolute or autocratic government.

4. a country ruled by a despot.

despotism

/ ˈdɛspəˌtɪzəm /

noun

1. the rule of a despot; arbitrary, absolute, or tyrannical government

2. arbitrary or tyrannical authority or behaviour

despotism

1. Unlimited political rule by one person.

The term usually suggests unscrupulous rule, or tyranny.

Word History and Origins

Origin of despotism¹

From the French word despotisme, dating back to 1720–30. See despot, -ism

Example Sentences

Can that Huntington Beach teach the rest of us a thing — or thirty — not just about how to stand up to despotism, but how to beat it back?

From Los Angeles Times

But “of all the forms democratic despotism could take,” Tocqueville continues, “the worst would be to turn over all the powers of government to the hands of an irresponsible person.”

From Salon

So they bequeathed us the separation of powers and the associated checks and balances ideally expected to counter such despotism.

From Salon

Mr. Turk told the crowd that the elder Assad’s regime had “relied on terror” and called Bashar’s rule “illegitimate,” saying it represented “despotism.”

From New York Times

He has bullied, cornered, cajoled, bribed and threatened most of the rest of the GOP into following him into despotism.

From Salon

Related Words

• authoritarianism www.thesaurus.com
• autocracy 
• tyranny