Synonyms for despotic
despot·ic

WiktionaryRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. despoticadjective

   Acting or ruling as a despot, tyrannical.

   The despotic king dissolved the parliament, and took personal control of the country.

   Synonyms:
   domineering, tyrannical

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:4.5 / 2 votes

1. despotic

   In the strict sense, absolute, free from all limitation or control, and supreme, superior to all, can not properly be said of any being except the divine. Both words are used, however, in a modified sense, of human authorities; absolute then signifying free from limitation by other authority, and supreme exalted over all other; as, an absolute monarch, the supreme court. Absolute, in this use, does not necessarily carry any unfavorable sense, but as absolute power in human hands is always abused, the unfavorable meaning predominates. Autocratic power knows no limits outside the ruler's self; arbitrary power, none outside the ruler's will or judgment, arbitrary carrying the implication of wilfulness and capriciousness. Despotic is commonly applied to a masterful or severe use of power, which is expressed more decidedly by tyrannical. Arbitrary may be used in a good sense; as, the pronunciation of proper names is arbitrary; but the bad sense is the prevailing one; as, an arbitrary proceeding. Irresponsible power is not necessarily bad, but eminently dangerous; an executor or trustee should not be irresponsible; an irresponsible ruler is likely to be tyrannical. A perfect ruler might be irresponsible and not tyrannical. Authoritative is used always in a good sense, implying the right to claim authority; imperative, peremptory, and positive are used ordinarily in the good sense; as, an authoritative definition; an imperative demand; a peremptory command; positive instructions; imperious signifies assuming and determined to command, rigorously requiring obedience. An imperious demand or requirement may have in it nothing offensive; it is simply one that resolutely insists upon compliance, and will not brook refusal; an arrogant demand is offensive by its tone of superiority, an arbitrary demand by its unreasonableness; an imperious disposition is liable to become arbitrary and arrogant. A person of an independent spirit is inclined to resent an imperious manner in any one, especially in one whose superiority is not clearly recognized. Commanding is always used in a good sense; as, a commanding appearance; a commanding eminence. Compare DOGMATIC; INFINITE; PERFECT.

   Synonyms:
   absolute, arbitrary, arrogant, authoritative, autocratic, coercive, commanding, compulsive, compulsory, controlling, dictatorial, dogmatic, domineering, exacting, haughty, imperative, imperious, irresponsible, lordly, overbearing, peremptory, positive, supreme, tyrannical, unconditional, unequivocal

   Antonyms:
   accountable, complaisant, compliant, conditional, constitutional, contingent, docile, ductile, gentle, humble, lenient, limited, lowly, meek, mild, responsible, submissive, yielding

Complete Dictionary of Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:4.0 / 1 vote

1. despotic

   Synonyms:
   autocratic, domineering, arbitrary, arrogant, imperious, self-willed, irresponsible, absolute, cruel, tyrannical

   Antonyms:
   limited, constitutional, humane, merciful

Princeton's WordNetRate these synonyms:3.0 / 4 votes

1. despotic, despoticaladjective

   belonging to or having the characteristics of a despot

   Synonyms:
   despotical, authoritarian, dictatorial, tyrannical, tyrannic, autocratic

   Antonyms:
   democratic

2. despoticadjective

   ruled by or characteristic of a despot

   "moved from a feudal to a despotic order"; "his administration was arrogant and despotic"

   Synonyms:
   despotical, authoritarian, dictatorial, tyrannical, tyrannic, autocratic

   Antonyms:
   democratic

3. authoritarian, autocratic, dictatorial, despotic, tyrannic, tyrannicaladjective

   characteristic of an absolute ruler or absolute rule; having absolute sovereignty

   "an authoritarian regime"; "autocratic government"; "despotic rulers"; "a dictatorial rule that lasted for the duration of the war"; "a tyrannical government"

   Synonyms:
   tyrannical, despotical, overbearing, high-and-mighty, autocratic, authoritarian, oppressive, bossy, dictatorial, magisterial, peremptory, tyrannous, dominating, tyrannic

   Antonyms:
   democratic

Dictionary of English SynonymesRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. despoticadjective

   Synonyms:
   absolute, arbitrary, imperious, tyrannical, autocratic

Synonyms, Antonyms & Associated WordsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. despoticadjective

   Synonyms:
   autocratic, tyrannical, absolute, despotical

PPDB, the paraphrase databaseRate these paraphrases:0.0 / 0 votes

1. List of paraphrases for "despotic":

   tyrannical, authoritarian, autocratic

How to pronounce despotic?

How to say despotic in sign language?

Words popularity by usage frequency

How to use despotic in a sentence?

1. Charles-Louis de Secondat:

   In republican governments, men are all equal; equal they are also in despotic governments: in the former, because they are everything; in the latter, because they are nothing.

2. Donald Trump:

   You know the last time I jokingly said that the papers start saying,' He's got despotic tendencies,' no, I'm not looking to do it. Unless you want to do it, that's OK.

3. Frank Herbert:

   If you think of yourselves as helpless and ineffectual, it is certain that you will create a despotic government to be your master. The wise despot, therefore, maintains among his subjects a popular sense that they are helpless and ineffectual.

4. Gregg Roman:

   What I ’m afraid of is that if there is a complete withdrawal, you lose the ability to reform the agency from within and it becomes more despotic than it is.

5. William Hazlitt:

   Fashon is the abortive issue of vain ostentation and exclusive egotism it is haughty, trifling, affected, servile, despotic, mean and ambitious, precise and fantastical, all in a breath -- tied to no rule, and bound to conform to every whim of the minute.