despotical
- adjective
- /ˌdɛspəˈtɪkəl/
- Archaic
:
despótico
- The despotical leader imposed strict laws that limited personal freedoms.
Examples
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Under his despotical rule, the citizens lived in fear of arbitrary punishments.
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But those exertions of the natural liberty of a few individuals, which might endanger the security of the whole society, are, and ought to be, restrained by the laws of all governments, of the most free as well as of the most despotical.
Blog text (28) -
Many revolutions have been sparked by the oppressive conditions of despotical regimes.
Synonyms
43
6.3
Using harsh, unfair power to control people and limit their freedom
25
7.9
Using power to treat people cruelly and unfairly
16
7.7
Having complete control and expecting people to obey without question
14
8.0
A leader who has complete power and does not allow others to disagree
8
8.4
A ruler who uses cruel and total power over people
1
9.9
Using unfair, cruel power to control people
Having very strong, unfair power that controls or hurts people
A government led by one person with all the power
Antonyms
How Tyrannical
43
6.3
25
7.9
- Archaic
16
7.7
14
8.0
58
7.5
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Despotical comes from despot, which comes from the old Greek despotes meaning 'master' or 'lord'. Think of a single master who rules alone and makes all the decisions, so despotical describes a harsh, all‑powerful way of ruling.