despotic
6 synonyms and 5 antonyms for despotic, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Relating to a despot or tyrant.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adj
Relating to a despot or tyrant.
“This despotic age of the empire ended in a revolt.”
2. adj
Ruling in a harsh and unfair way, like a tyrant.
“The despotic king dissolved the parliament, and took personal control of the country.”
Opposites
Etymology
From Ancient Greek δεσποτικός (despotikós), reaching English via French despotique; equivalent to despot plus -ic.
Full origin of despotic →