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despotism Definition

des·pot·ism (despə tiz′əm)

noun

  1. rule or domination by a despot; autocracy
  2. the methods or acts of a despot; tyranny
  3. a political system, state, etc. dominated by a despot

Etymology: Fr despotisme

despotism Synonyms

despotism

n.

  1. Autocracy

    absolutism, dictatorship, imperialism; see autocracy, government 2.

  2. Tyranny

    repression, coercion, domination; see oppression 1, tyranny.

despotism Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • establish: Second - even if governments refrain from these mild persecutions, identity cards will tend to establish a despotism.
  • temper: He will temper the despotism of Nature by epigrams.
  • exercise: And what of the despotism exercised by those great " wealth creators " , the transnational corporations?

Adjective modifier

  • enlightened: Many would argue that it is an enlightened despotism.
  • oriental: The whole conception of a god is a conception derived from the ancient oriental despotisms.
  • Oriental: For example they gave us that symbol of a revived Oriental Despotism, the National Curriculum.
  • absolute: Instead, he serves the ends of absolute, arbitrary despotism.
  • military: Morality with religion for its sanction has hitherto been the basis of social polity, except under military despotisms.
  • political: Political despotism is perfectly compatible with the existence of a reasonably market economy.

Preposition: in

  • form: There is no human heart that sympathizes with your cause, unless it sympathizes with the cause of despotism in every form.
despotism Quotes

France was long a despotism tempered by epigrams.

—Carlyle,Thomas

England is a great and powerful nation, foremost in human progress, enemy to despotism, the only safe refuge for the exile, friend of the oppressed. If ever England should be so circumstanced as to require the help of anyally, cursed be the Italian who would not step forward with me in her defence.

—Garibaldi, Giuseppe

We have seen todaya gallant, civilized and democratic people betrayed and handed over to a ruthless despotism.

—1st Earl

   Bureaucracy, theruleof no one, hasbecomethemodern form of despotism.

—McCarthy,Joseph R(aymond)

Browse dictionary entries near despotism

  1. despotic
  2. despot
  3. despondent
  4. despondency
  5. despond
  6. despoliation
  7. despoil
  8. despiteful
  9. despite
  10. despise
  1. despumate
  2. desquamate
  3. Dessau
  4. dessert
  5. dessertspoon
  6. dessiatine
  7. destabilize
  8. destain
  9. desterilize
  10. destination