despotic meaning

UK US /dɪˈspɑtɪk/ 3 syllables

despotic (adjective): belonging to or having the characteristics of a despot.

despotic has 3 meanings in this dictionary.

despotic as an adjective

  1. belonging to or having the characteristics of a despot

    Synonyms: despotical

    Related forms: despot

  2. ruled by or characteristic of a despot
    • moved from a feudal to a despotic order
    • his administration was arrogant and despotic

    Similar: undemocratic

    Related forms: despot

  3. characteristic of an absolute ruler or absolute rule; having absolute sovereignty
    • an authoritarian regime
    • autocratic government
    • despotic rulers
    • a dictatorial rule that lasted for the duration of the war
    • a tyrannical government

    Synonyms: authoritarian, autocratic, dictatorial, tyrannic, tyrannical

    Similar: undemocratic

    Related forms: despot

How to pronounce despotic

despotic is pronounced /dɪˈspɑtɪk/ in American English. It has 3 syllables, with the stress on the second syllable.

Words that rhyme with despotic

Scrabble score: 13 (letter breakdown)

Word lists: words starting with DE · words ending in IC · 8-letter words

More about despotic on Wikipedia.