despot Definition
- 1a ruler who holds absolute power, typically one who exercises it in a cruel or oppressive way
- 2a person who has a lot of power over other people and often uses it unfairly or cruelly
Using despot: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "despot" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The country was ruled by a despot for over 20 years.
Example
He was known to be a despot who would stop at nothing to maintain his power.
Example
The manager was a despot who made life miserable for his employees.
despot Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for despot
- dictator
- autocrat
- authoritarian
- tyrant
- oppressor
Antonyms for despot
- democrat
- liberal
Idioms Using despot
despot of the desk
a person who has a lot of power in a particular organization or company
Example
He may not be the CEO, but he's definitely the despot of the desk around here.
despotism of custom
the oppressive influence of tradition or established social norms
Example
The despotism of custom prevented her from pursuing her dreams.
despotism of fashion
the oppressive influence of prevailing trends or styles
Example
She refused to succumb to the despotism of fashion and wore whatever she pleased.
Phrases with despot
benevolent despot
a ruler who holds absolute power but uses it for the benefit of the people
Example
The king was a benevolent despot who cared deeply for his subjects.
despotic regime
a government or ruling system characterized by the absolute power of a single individual or group
Example
The country was under a despotic regime that suppressed all forms of dissent.
despotic rule
the exercise of absolute power by a ruler or ruling group
Example
The people suffered under the despotic rule of the dictator.
Origins of despot
from Greek 'despotes', meaning 'master' or 'lord'
Summary: despot in Brief
'Despot' [ˈdɛspət] refers to a ruler who holds absolute power, often using it cruelly or oppressively. It can also refer to a person who has a lot of power over others and uses it unfairly. Examples include 'The country was ruled by a despot for over 20 years.' and 'The manager was a despot who made life miserable for his employees.' Phrases like 'benevolent despot' and 'despotic regime' further illustrate the term's nuances.
