noun
despotism
Despotism (noun) means Rule by one person or a small group holding total power, often in a harsh, oppressive way.
noun
1
Rule by one person or a small group holding total power, often in a harsh, oppressive way.
"But now events have proved that I was right because Khrushchev's grandchildren do live in freedom and the great question of our time: can they continue to live in freedom, or will they revert to the old, or a new despotism?"
— Richard Nixon, Inside Washington (1992)
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like despotism.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Etymology
From French despotisme, equivalent to despot plus -ism.
Synonyms
View more →
Caesarism
absolutism
tyranny
shogunate
monocracy
dictatorship
totalitarianism
authoritarianism
Stalinism
Related words
Rhymes for despotism
See all rhymes for despotism →Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of despotism?
"despotism" (noun) means rule by one person or a small group holding total power, often in a harsh, oppressive way.
What is another word for despotism?
Other words for "despotism" include Caesarism, absolutism, tyranny, shogunate, monocracy, dictatorship.
