Despot
noun
A ruler who has complete power of a country, and uses it cruelly.
The people were oppressed by the cruel despot.
Often appears as...
- cruel despot
- tyrannical despot
Usage tips
Disapproving
noun
A ruler who has complete power of a country, and uses it cruelly.
The people were oppressed by the cruel despot.
Often appears as...
- cruel despot
- tyrannical despot
Usage tips
Disapproving
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Term
Despot is used negatively to highlight unjust use of power.
He became a despot who ignored the law for personal gain.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Modern
Despot often refers to historical or nondemocratic rulers, less modern ones.
The history book described the ways the despot controlled the land.
Pro Tip 3/3Absolute Power
Despot implies holding and abusing absolute power, beyond checks and balances.
The movie depicted a despot who made decisions without any counsel.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Term
Despot is used negatively to highlight unjust use of power.
He became a despot who ignored the law for personal gain.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Modern
Despot often refers to historical or nondemocratic rulers, less modern ones.
The history book described the ways the despot controlled the land.
Pro Tip 3/3Absolute Power
Despot implies holding and abusing absolute power, beyond checks and balances.
The movie depicted a despot who made decisions without any counsel.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Term
Despot is used negatively to highlight unjust use of power.
He became a despot who ignored the law for personal gain.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Modern
Despot often refers to historical or nondemocratic rulers, less modern ones.
The history book described the ways the despot controlled the land.
Pro Tip 3/3Absolute Power
Despot implies holding and abusing absolute power, beyond checks and balances.
The movie depicted a despot who made decisions without any counsel.
Compare with
authoritarianautocratdictatoremperorfascistmonarchoppressortotalitariantyrant
Never forget "Despot"
Humans forget easily. That's why you should download WordUp: Smart reminders, word games, AI practice, and much more!
Video examples
Meet global corruption's...
investigating a billion dollar that's right a billion-dollar oil deal that he was involved with and what we found was pretty shocking but more about that later so it's easy to think that corruption happens somewhere come over there carried out by a bunch of greedy despots and individuals up to no good in
Video examples
George Papandreou:...
And democracy was the political innovation which protected this freedom, because we were liberated from fear so that our minds in fact, whether they be despots or dogmas,
Video examples
Lions Hunt Zebra PIPE...
and their plans do not include him. A two-faced tail-less, despot, Ramoharta has played his part.
Video examples
Meet global corruption's...
investigating a billion dollar that's right a billion-dollar oil deal that he was involved with and what we found was pretty shocking but more about that later so it's easy to think that corruption happens somewhere come over there carried out by a bunch of greedy despots and individuals up to no good in
Video examples
George Papandreou:...
And democracy was the political innovation which protected this freedom, because we were liberated from fear so that our minds in fact, whether they be despots or dogmas,
Video examples
Lions Hunt Zebra PIPE...
and their plans do not include him. A two-faced tail-less, despot, Ramoharta has played his part.
Example 1 of 3
Quote examples
Jules Verne
French Author
The sea does not belong to despots. Upon its surface men can still exercise unjust laws, fight, tear one another to pieces, and be carried away with terrestrial horrors. But at thirty feet below its level, their reign ceases, their influence is quenched, and their power disappears.
Quote examples
Lysander Spooner
American Philosopher
The single despot stands out in the face of all men, and says: I am the State: My will is law: I am your master: I take the responsibility of my acts: The only arbiter I acknowledge is the sword: If any one denies my right, let him try conclusions with me.
Quote examples
Richard Jefferies
English Writer
No tyrant, however evil, has yet lacked ready hands to execute his most abominable will. To read how eagerly men have rushed to serve the despot is the bitterest, the saddest matter of history; it is the saddest sight in our own day.
Quote examples
Lajos Kossuth
Hungarian Lawyer
Your generous part in my liberation is taken by the world for the revelation of the fact, that the United States are resolved not to allow the despots of the world to trample on oppressed humanity.
Quote examples
Demosthenes
Greek Statesman
There is one safeguard known generally to the wise, which is an advantage and security to all, but especially to democracies as against despots - suspicion.
Quote examples
Eric Hoffer
American Writer
The savior who wants to turn men into angels is as much a hater of human nature as the totalitarian despot who wants to turn them into puppets.
Quote examples
Aeschylus
Greek Poet
Neither a life of anarchy nor one beneath a despot should you praise; to all that lies in the middle a god has given excellence.
Quote examples
Mikhail Bakunin
Russian Revolutionary
Idealism is the despot of thought, just as politics is the despot of will.
Quote examples
Thomas Babington Macaulay
British Poet
A good constitution is infinitely better than the best despot.
Quote examples
Bill Owens
American Politician
Freedom is contagious. That's why despots fear it so much.
Quote examples
Jules Verne
French Author
The sea does not belong to despots. Upon its surface men can still exercise unjust laws, fight, tear one another to pieces, and be carried away with terrestrial horrors. But at thirty feet below its level, their reign ceases, their influence is quenched, and their power disappears.
Quote examples
Lysander Spooner
American Philosopher
The single despot stands out in the face of all men, and says: I am the State: My will is law: I am your master: I take the responsibility of my acts: The only arbiter I acknowledge is the sword: If any one denies my right, let him try conclusions with me.
Quote examples
Richard Jefferies
English Writer
No tyrant, however evil, has yet lacked ready hands to execute his most abominable will. To read how eagerly men have rushed to serve the despot is the bitterest, the saddest matter of history; it is the saddest sight in our own day.
Quote examples
Lajos Kossuth
Hungarian Lawyer
Your generous part in my liberation is taken by the world for the revelation of the fact, that the United States are resolved not to allow the despots of the world to trample on oppressed humanity.
Quote examples
Demosthenes
Greek Statesman
There is one safeguard known generally to the wise, which is an advantage and security to all, but especially to democracies as against despots - suspicion.
Quote examples
Eric Hoffer
American Writer
The savior who wants to turn men into angels is as much a hater of human nature as the totalitarian despot who wants to turn them into puppets.
Quote examples
Aeschylus
Greek Poet
Neither a life of anarchy nor one beneath a despot should you praise; to all that lies in the middle a god has given excellence.
Quote examples
Mikhail Bakunin
Russian Revolutionary
Idealism is the despot of thought, just as politics is the despot of will.
Quote examples
Thomas Babington Macaulay
British Poet
A good constitution is infinitely better than the best despot.
Quote examples
Bill Owens
American Politician
Freedom is contagious. That's why despots fear it so much.
Example 1 of 10
WordUp Chrome Extension
As you browse the web instantly look up words you don’t know.
Get Chrome Extension