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despotism

noun
des·​po·​tism | \ ˈde-spÉ™-ËŒti-zÉ™m How to pronounce despotism (audio) \

Definition of despotism

1a : 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
2a : a system of government in which the ruler has unlimited power : absolutism
b : a despotic state enduring the despotism of the czars
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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

 In Rulfo’s novel, the ghosts come to symbolize a rural Mexico emptied out by urbanization and local despotism in the aftermath of the country’s bloody revolution and ensuing Cristero War. — Francisco Cantú, The New Yorker, "Téa Obreht Reimagines the Western," 12 Aug. 2019 In the 19th century, Russian Westernisers perceived China as an example of stagnation, bureaucracy, corruption and despotism. — The Economist, "But their new partnership makes China a lot more equal than Russia," 25 July 2019 The Trump administration’s policies are often tougher on the world’s despotisms than those of his predecessors were. — Nr Editors, National Review, "The Week," 11 July 2019 People realized that, on this crowded, hungry continent, democracy was more terrifying than despotism. — Jiayang Fan, The New Yorker, "Liu Cixin’s War of the Worlds," 17 June 2019 Deep social division, Lincoln said, can lead to either despotism or anarchy. — David S. Reynolds, WSJ, "‘Becoming Lincoln’ Review: The Center That Held," 15 Feb. 2019 As with most open-source projects, the decisions regarding what gets added and changed are made through a mix of despotism and anarchy. — Eric Limer, Popular Mechanics, "If You Can't Beat It, Code It," 17 Dec. 2018 Democratic-socialism is a seductive mutation of despotism in which the democratic majority delegates control of more and more resources to government overseers. — WSJ, "Beware ‘Thin Edge of the Wedge’ Socialism," 5 Dec. 2018 The worst of all despotisms is the heartless tyranny of ideas. — Daniel Pipes, WSJ, "Venezuela’s Tyranny of Bad Ideas," 26 Aug. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'despotism.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of despotism

circa 1727, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for despotism

see despot

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More Definitions for despotism

despotism

noun
How to pronounce despotism (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of despotism

: rule by a despot

See the full definition for despotism in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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More from Merriam-Webster on despotism

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with despotism

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for despotism

Spanish Central: Translation of despotism

Nglish: Translation of despotism for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of despotism for Arabic Speakers

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