despotic

[ dih-spot-ik ]

adjective

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

Other Words From

• des·poti·cal·ly adverb
• nondes·potic adjective
• nondes·poti·cal·ly adverb
• undes·potic adjective
• undes·poti·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of despotic¹

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

Example Sentences

The joint winners are a pair of journalists known as the bête noirs of two of the world’s most despotic, democratically elected leaders.

From The Daily Beast

“As we continue to aid and arm despotic regimes in Egypt, we are also now sending weapons to the rebels in Syria,” Paul said.

From The Daily Beast

But President Obama would look despotic if he embraced this tactic.

From The Daily Beast

The shah returned to become even more despotic until his own overthrow in 1979 by Ayatollah Khomeini.

From The Daily Beast

They created a system of government with checks and balances so that no branch of government would become despotic.

From The Daily Beast

As despotic regimes across the Arab world crumble or battle for survival, what lies ahead?

From The Daily Beast

The most extraordinary and despotic measures were adopted by acclamation to meet the fearful emergency.

From Project Gutenberg

The manhood of Homestead rebelled: the millmen scorned the despotic ultimatum.

From Project Gutenberg

Fascination is despotic; beauty is something more tangible and independent of opinion.

From Project Gutenberg

Humble as Lecamus seemed to the outer world, he was despotic in his own home; there he was an autocrat.

From Project Gutenberg

Each sect has endeavored to make its God a monarch the most redoubtable, the greatest, the most despotic, and the most selfish.

From Project Gutenberg