WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
des•pot /ˈdɛspət, -pɑt/USA pronunciation
n. [countable]
des•pot•i•cal•ly, adv.
des•pot•ism /ˈdɛspəˌtɪzəm/USA pronunciation n. [uncountable]Fifty years of despotism ruined the country.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- Governmenta ruler with absolute power; autocrat.
des•pot•i•cal•ly, adv.
des•pot•ism /ˈdɛspəˌtɪzəm/USA pronunciation n. [uncountable]Fifty years of despotism ruined the country.
des•pot
(des′pət, -pot),USA pronunciation n.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- Governmenta king or other ruler with absolute, unlimited power;
autocrat. - Governmentany tyrant or oppressor.
- Ancient History, World History[Hist.]an honorary title applied to a Byzantine emperor, afterward to members of his family, and later to Byzantine vassal rulers and governors.
- *dems-pot- presumably, "master of the house,'' equivalent. to *dems-, akin to dómos house + pot-, base of pósis husband, spouse; compare hospodar, host1
- Greek despótēs master
- 1555–65
des•pot•ic
(di spot′ik),USA pronunciation adj.
des•pot′i•cal•ly, adv.
- Governmentof, pertaining to, or of the nature of a despot or despotism;
autocratic;
tyrannical.
- Greek despotikós. See despot, -ic
- French despotique
- 1640–50
'despotically' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):