1
as in arbitrary
exercising power or authority without interference by others
a nation ruled by a series of despotic rulers, each seemingly worse than the last
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2
as in authoritarian
fond of ordering people around
the despotic coach demands that his players obey him without question
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of despotic
Photo: Obscured Pictures Building the world of the film also meant drawing on all manner of cultural references—from the depths of the Vice News YouTube channel to an early ’00s documentary about American Apparel and its despotic CEO, Dov Charney, that Ulman sent to Simon Rex.
—
Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 2 May 2025
In these ways, Trump’s despotic acts are indeed without precedent in American history.
—Patrick Eddington, Oc Register, 20 Apr. 2025
It was first created in 1942 specifically to serve as a foil to Axis disinformation and over the years became a beacon of hope to people living under all manner of totalitarian and despotic governments.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 18 Mar. 2025
The notion that these companies were sovereign enclaves of pitilessly despotic geniuses is a myth of recent vintage.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for despotic
Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 2 May 2025
In these ways, Trump’s despotic acts are indeed without precedent in American history.
—Patrick Eddington, Oc Register, 20 Apr. 2025
It was first created in 1942 specifically to serve as a foil to Axis disinformation and over the years became a beacon of hope to people living under all manner of totalitarian and despotic governments.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 18 Mar. 2025
The notion that these companies were sovereign enclaves of pitilessly despotic geniuses is a myth of recent vintage.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for despotic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despotic
Adjective
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The Florida court contrived a weird and arbitrary compromise, granting new sentencing hearings only to death row prisoners whose sentences were considered final after 2002, when the U.S. court issued a decision that was a precursor to Hurst’s.—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 July 2025
-
Ultimately, Bae acknowledges, these classifications are somewhat arbitrary.—
Cody Cottier,
Discover Magazine,
26 July 2025
Adjective
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North Korea is under sanctions from the United States — as well as the United Nations and several other countries — largely in response to the isolated authoritarian state's weapons programs.—
Alana Wise,
NPR,
25 July 2025
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While Western democracies debate environmental reviews and grid reliability, authoritarian systems can rapidly direct energy flows to computing infrastructure.—
Güney Yıldız,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
Adjective
-
In many areas along and east of the Mississippi River, heat index values could soar to between 110 and 115 degrees — the kind of oppressive heat that can quickly turn dangerous without proper precautions.—
Brandi D. Addison,
Austin American Statesman,
23 July 2025
-
Generally, when dew point values climb into the 70s, the heat becomes a nuisance and feels oppressive.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
22 July 2025
Adjective
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Avoid being domineering, but also avoid being stepped on by someone else.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
25 July 2025
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My Mom Died is a heartbreaking and hilarious recounting of McCurdy’s struggles as a former child actor while dealing with her overbearing, domineering mother.—
Charley Ross,
Glamour,
2 July 2025
Adjective
-
In addition to Sandler, the 2025 film also sees the return of several familiar faces, including Julie Bowen as Happy’s love interest, Virginia Venit; Christopher McDonald as Shooter McGavin, Happy’s arrogant nemesis; and Ben Stiller as Hal L., the orderly from Happy’s grandmother’s nursing home.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
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Christopher McDonald plays Happy’s comically villainous, arrogant rival Shooter McGavin, maestro of the finger guns.—
Skyler Trepel,
EW.com,
25 July 2025
Adjective
-
Power Without Reciprocity and Organizational Collapse Rome transitioned from a participatory republic to an autocratic empire.—
Scott Hutcheson,
Forbes.com,
28 July 2025
-
As the citizens of the state struggle to seize power back from an autocratic government, the story centers on Jamil, a war zone courier/smuggler, and Zora, a young leader in the Mulholland Resistance, who attempt to escape Occupied Los Angeles, a city under martial law.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
23 July 2025
Adjective
-
Since his memorable performance on the Netflix sci-fi show, Quinn has starred alongside Lupita Nyong’o in A Quiet Place: Day One and played a tyrannical emperor in Gladiator II.—
Olivia Singh,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
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Such control isn’t intrinsically tyrannical or oppressive.—
Michael W. Clune,
Harpers Magazine,
16 July 2025
Adjective
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Unlike Joseph Stalin, Putin has not maximized the state’s dictatorial potential.—
MICHAEL KIMMAGE,
Foreign Affairs,
16 July 2025
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The Big Beautiful Bill is supposed to revitalize our economy, but the president who asked for it is destroying that economy with his erratic, uninformed and ill-judged dictatorial outbursts.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
13 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Despotic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despotic. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
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