What does despotism mean?
Definitions for despotism
ˈdɛs pəˌtɪz əmdespo·tism
This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word despotism.
Princeton's WordNet
absolutism, tyranny, despotismnoun
dominance through threat of punishment and violence
dictatorship, absolutism, authoritarianism, Caesarism, despotism, monocracy, one-man rule, shogunate, Stalinism, totalitarianism, tyrannynoun
a form of government in which the ruler is an absolute dictator (not restricted by a constitution or laws or opposition etc.)
Wiktionary
despotismnoun
government by a singular authority, either a single person or tight-knit group, which rules with absolute power
Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
Despotismnoun
Absolute power.
Etymology: despotisme, French, from despot.
Wikipedia
Despotism
Despotism (Greek: Δεσποτισμός, despotismós) is a form of government in which a single entity rules with absolute power. Normally, that entity is an individual, the despot; but (as in an autocracy) societies which limit respect and power to specific groups have also been called despotic.Colloquially, the word despot applies pejoratively to those who use their power and authority to oppress their populace, subjects, or subordinates. More specifically, the term often applies to a head of state or government. In this sense, it is similar to the pejorative connotations that are associated with the terms tyrant and dictator.
ChatGPT
despotism
Despotism is a form of government in which a single person, the despot, rules with absolute power, often characterized by tyranny, oppression, and limited freedoms for the subjects. The despot exercises total control over all aspects of public and private life, often maintaining power through force, corruption, and fear.
Webster Dictionary
Despotismnoun
the power, spirit, or principles of a despot; absolute control over others; tyrannical sway; tyranny
Despotismnoun
a government which is directed by a despot; a despotic monarchy; absolutism; autocracy
Etymology: [Cf. F. despotisme.]
Wikidata
Despotism
Despotism is a form of government in which a single entity rules with absolute power. That entity may be an individual, as in an autocracy, or it may be a group, as in an oligarchy. The word despotism means to "rule in the fashion of a despot" and does not necessarily require a singular "despot", an individual. Despot comes from the Greek despotes, which roughly means "master" or "one with power", and it has been used to translate a wide variety of titles and positions. It was used to describe the unlimited power and authority of the Pharaohs of Egypt, employed in the Byzantine court as a title of nobility, used by the rulers of Byzantine vassal states, and adopted as a title of the Byzantine Emperors. Thus, despot is found to have different meanings and interpretations at various times in history and can not be described by a single definition. This is similar to the other Greek titles basileus and autokrator, which, along with despot, have been used at various times to describe everything from a local chieftain to a simple ruler, king or emperor. Colloquially, despot has been applied pejoratively to a person, particularly a head of state or government, who abuses their power and authority to oppress their people, subjects or subordinates. In this sense, it is similar to the pejorative connotations that have likewise arisen with the term tyrant. Dictator has also developed nearly similar pejorative connotations, though despot and tyrant tend to stress cruelty and even enjoyment therefrom, while dictator tends to imply more harshness or unfair implementation of law.
Numerology
Chaldean Numerology
The numerical value of despotism in Chaldean Numerology is: 3
Pythagorean Numerology
The numerical value of despotism in Pythagorean Numerology is: 3
Examples of despotism in a Sentence
Freedom of conscience entails more dangers than authority and despotism.
France was a long despotism tempered by epigrams.
nepotism and despotism will lasts only for a short while. For like a dead fish in the heat of the mid-day sun it is bound to rot and spoil
The doctrine of blind obedience and unqualified submission to any human power, whether civil or ecclesiastical, is the doctrine of despotism, and ought to have no place among Republicans and Christians.
It's like this machine that's just devouring the city with ever more controls, ever more absurd levels of despotism.
Popularity rank by frequency of use
References
Translations for despotism
From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary
- деспотизъмBulgarian
- despotismeCatalan, Valencian
- despotismus, despocieCzech
- despotiDanish
- Despotismus, Despotie, WillkürGerman
- δεσποτισμόςGreek
- despotismoSpanish
- itsevaltiusFinnish
- despotismeFrench
- despotizmusHungarian
- dispotismoItalian
- 専制Japanese
- despotismusLatin
- despotyzmPolish
- despotismoPortuguese
- despotismRomanian
- деспотизм, произволRussian
- despotizamSerbo-Croatian
- despoti, despotismSwedish
- деспотизмUkrainian
Get even more translations for despotism »
Translation
Find a translation for the despotism definition in other languages:
Select another language:
- - Select -
- 简体中文 (Chinese - Simplified)
- 繁體中文 (Chinese - Traditional)
- Español (Spanish)
- Esperanto (Esperanto)
- 日本語 (Japanese)
- Português (Portuguese)
- Deutsch (German)
- العربية (Arabic)
- Français (French)
- Русский (Russian)
- ಕನ್ನಡ (Kannada)
- 한국어 (Korean)
- עברית (Hebrew)
- Gaeilge (Irish)
- Українська (Ukrainian)
- اردو (Urdu)
- Magyar (Hungarian)
- मानक हिन्दी (Hindi)
- Indonesia (Indonesian)
- Italiano (Italian)
- தமிழ் (Tamil)
- Türkçe (Turkish)
- తెలుగు (Telugu)
- ภาษาไทย (Thai)
- Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
- Čeština (Czech)
- Polski (Polish)
- Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian)
- Românește (Romanian)
- Nederlands (Dutch)
- Ελληνικά (Greek)
- Latinum (Latin)
- Svenska (Swedish)
- Dansk (Danish)
- Suomi (Finnish)
- فارسی (Persian)
- ייִדיש (Yiddish)
- հայերեն (Armenian)
- Norsk (Norwegian)
- English (English)
Word of the Day
Would you like us to send you a FREE new word definition delivered to your inbox daily?
Citation
Use the citation below to add this definition to your bibliography:
Style:MLAChicagoAPA
"despotism." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 19 Apr. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/despotism>.
Discuss these despotism definitions with the community:
Report Comment
We're doing our best to make sure our content is useful, accurate and safe.
If by any chance you spot an inappropriate comment while navigating through our website please use this form to let us know, and we'll take care of it shortly.
Attachment
You need to be logged in to favorite.
Log In