as in tyrant
a person who uses power or authority in a cruel, unjust, or harmful way
the despot exiled political dissidents to remote labor camps, where they were left to rot
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of despot
In 1996, the end of the Cold War had radically altered the dynamics propping up a generation of African despots.
—
Michela Wrong, Foreign Affairs, 3 Mar. 2025
Our foundational document, held and displayed in the National Archives building on the National Mall, insists that all men are created equal and rails against the tyranny of despots and kings.
—Elaine Weiss, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2025
In 1996, the end of the Cold War had radically altered the dynamics propping up a generation of African despots.
—Michela Wrong, Foreign Affairs, 3 Mar. 2025
This notion probably came as news to Zelenskyy, who has spent three years now contending with what seems to us a much bigger threat to Europe, Russia’s armed forces and the despot willing to use them to further his designs.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 15 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for despot
Michela Wrong, Foreign Affairs, 3 Mar. 2025
Our foundational document, held and displayed in the National Archives building on the National Mall, insists that all men are created equal and rails against the tyranny of despots and kings.
—Elaine Weiss, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2025
In 1996, the end of the Cold War had radically altered the dynamics propping up a generation of African despots.
—Michela Wrong, Foreign Affairs, 3 Mar. 2025
This notion probably came as news to Zelenskyy, who has spent three years now contending with what seems to us a much bigger threat to Europe, Russia’s armed forces and the despot willing to use them to further his designs.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 15 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for despot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despot
Noun
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But is that the same for employees who work for a tyrant?—
Daniel Arkin,
NBC news,
30 May 2025
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History teaches us that tyrants typically consolidate their power by mocking intellectuals.—
Elisa Manfredini,
Time,
14 June 2025
Noun
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In theory, Lee and Trump are well suited as a pair to wrangle the North Korean dictator.—
John Delury,
Foreign Affairs,
3 June 2025
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Individual rights shield us from the initiation of physical force – whether by tax collectors, or dictators threatening us with missiles.—
Ben Bayer,
Oc Register,
19 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Despot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despot. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.
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