Despotism
noun
A system of government where one person has absolute power.
The country suffered under the despotism of the ruthless dictator.
Often appears as...
- absolute despotism
- brutal despotism
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
Political
noun
Cruel and unfair treatment by someone with power over others.
The manager ruled with despotism, making the workers' lives miserable.
Often appears as...
- personal despotism
- institutional despotism
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
noun
A system of government where one person has absolute power.
The country suffered under the despotism of the ruthless dictator.
Often appears as...
- absolute despotism
- brutal despotism
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
Political
noun
Cruel and unfair treatment by someone with power over others.
The manager ruled with despotism, making the workers' lives miserable.
Often appears as...
- personal despotism
- institutional despotism
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Political Context
Used to describe oppressive regimes in history and current affairs.
Textbooks often cite the despotism of ancient empires.
Pro Tip 2/3Absolute Rule
Implies one person's unrestricted control without checks or balances.
The king's despotism allowed no room for dissent.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Connotation
Despotism suggests an unjust or abusive system, viewed negatively.
Activists decried the leader's despotism.
Pro Tip 1/3Political Context
Used to describe oppressive regimes in history and current affairs.
Textbooks often cite the despotism of ancient empires.
Pro Tip 2/3Absolute Rule
Implies one person's unrestricted control without checks or balances.
The king's despotism allowed no room for dissent.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Connotation
Despotism suggests an unjust or abusive system, viewed negatively.
Activists decried the leader's despotism.
Pro Tip 1/3Political Context
Used to describe oppressive regimes in history and current affairs.
Textbooks often cite the despotism of ancient empires.
Pro Tip 2/3Absolute Rule
Implies one person's unrestricted control without checks or balances.
The king's despotism allowed no room for dissent.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Connotation
Despotism suggests an unjust or abusive system, viewed negatively.
Activists decried the leader's despotism.
Never forget "Despotism"
Humans forget easily. That's why you should download WordUp: Smart reminders, word games, AI practice, and much more!
Video examples
Why wasn’t the Bill of...
While their opponents accused them of despotism, wanting to maintain absolute power in the central government, their real motives were mostly practical. Changing the constitution when it had already been ratified by some states could complicate the entire process. More importantly, Madison felt that people's rights were already guaranteed
Video examples
How to see past your own...
But the really, I think, dangerous thing about skepticism with regard to truth is that it leads to despotism. "Man is the measure of all things"
Video examples
Why wasn’t the Bill of...
While their opponents accused them of despotism, wanting to maintain absolute power in the central government, their real motives were mostly practical. Changing the constitution when it had already been ratified by some states could complicate the entire process. More importantly, Madison felt that people's rights were already guaranteed
Video examples
How to see past your own...
But the really, I think, dangerous thing about skepticism with regard to truth is that it leads to despotism. "Man is the measure of all things"
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
George Washington
American President
The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism.
Quote examples
Thomas Jefferson
American President
The whole commerce between master and slave is a perpetual exercise of the most boisterous passions, the most unremitting despotism on the one part, and degrading submissions on the other. Our children see this, and learn to imitate it.
Quote examples
Abraham Lincoln
American President
Our defense is in the preservation of the spirit which prizes liberty as a heritage of all men, in all lands, everywhere. Destroy this spirit and you have planted the seeds of despotism around your own doors.
Quote examples
Marquis de Lafayette
French Revolutionary
I am astonished but not discouraged by my enormous responsibility. Devoted both from affection and duty to the cause of the people, I shall combat with equal ardor aristocracy, despotism, and faction.
Quote examples
Denis Kearney
American Politician
To add to our misery and despair, a bloated aristocracy has sent to China - the greatest and oldest despotism in the world - for a cheap working slave.
Quote examples
William Wells Brown
American Activist
Despotism increases in severity with the number of despots; the responsibility is more divided, and the claims are more numerous.
Quote examples
John Stuart Mill
English Philosopher
The despotism of custom is everywhere the standing hindrance to human advancement.
Quote examples
Thomas Paine
English Activist
The strength and power of despotism consists wholly in the fear of resistance.
Quote examples
Plato
Greek Philosopher
Democracy passes into despotism.
Quote examples
Victor Hugo
French Author
Despotism is a long crime.
Quote examples
George Washington
American President
The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism.
Quote examples
Thomas Jefferson
American President
The whole commerce between master and slave is a perpetual exercise of the most boisterous passions, the most unremitting despotism on the one part, and degrading submissions on the other. Our children see this, and learn to imitate it.
Quote examples
Abraham Lincoln
American President
Our defense is in the preservation of the spirit which prizes liberty as a heritage of all men, in all lands, everywhere. Destroy this spirit and you have planted the seeds of despotism around your own doors.
Quote examples
Marquis de Lafayette
French Revolutionary
I am astonished but not discouraged by my enormous responsibility. Devoted both from affection and duty to the cause of the people, I shall combat with equal ardor aristocracy, despotism, and faction.
Quote examples
Denis Kearney
American Politician
To add to our misery and despair, a bloated aristocracy has sent to China - the greatest and oldest despotism in the world - for a cheap working slave.
Quote examples
William Wells Brown
American Activist
Despotism increases in severity with the number of despots; the responsibility is more divided, and the claims are more numerous.
Quote examples
John Stuart Mill
English Philosopher
The despotism of custom is everywhere the standing hindrance to human advancement.
Quote examples
Thomas Paine
English Activist
The strength and power of despotism consists wholly in the fear of resistance.
Quote examples
Plato
Greek Philosopher
Democracy passes into despotism.
Quote examples
Victor Hugo
French Author
Despotism is a long crime.
Example 1 of 10
WordUp Chrome Extension
As you browse the web instantly look up words you don’t know.
Get Chrome Extension