despot

noun

ˈde-spət How to pronounce despot (audio)
Definition of despotnext
as in tyrant
a person who uses power or authority in a cruel, unjust, or harmful way the despot exiled political dissidents to remote labor camps, where they were left to rot

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of despot In that instance, the notorious Cold War-era Romanian despot was quickly executed (with his wife) by military top brass while his former elites went on to run things under a nominally democratic system. — Melik Kaylan, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026 The invisible power of the unelected despots of data and tech lords must be diminished; if families cannot control the disaster of digital addiction, states will have to legislate for them. — Simon Sebag Montefiore, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026 The writer-director sets her sophomore feature barely two years after the country shook off the despot’s iron grip. — Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2026 When a ruthless despot steals a billion-dollar fortune, the team is sent to steal it back on what would be for anyone else a suicide mission. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 14 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for despot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despot
  1. tyrant
  2. dictator
Noun
  • Netanyahu brands Erdogan an ‘antisemitic tyrant’ Netanyahu and Katz have pushed back on the political motivation narrative, warning instead of an impending Turkish footprint in Syria.
    — Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Some tin-pot tyrant decides their country really owns part of another and invades.
    — Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of tyrant
Noun
  • For years the company has rewritten its own rules, redesigned its products, and even bent to the demands of dictators to preserve market access.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026
  • President Jimmy Carter and Panamanian dictator Omar Torrijos signed the Carter-Torrijos Treaties transferring control of the Panama Canal from the United States to Panama by 2000.
    — USA Today, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of dictator

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desponds
despot
despotic
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Cite this Entry

“Despot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despot. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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