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 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 Underlying such obvious acts of aggression lies an insidious tendency for transnational repression to flow from despots into democracies, oppressing lawyers of all nationalities in the process. — Irwin Cotler, Time, 8 May 2026 The despot’s dilemma Iran’s cameras have been repeatedly hacked over the past few years. — Dake Kang, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for despot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despot
  1. tyrant
  2. dictator
Noun
  • Some tin-pot tyrant decides their country really owns part of another and invades.
    — Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Esparza plays the unhinged tyrant with a quickness, his bright eyes darting and weaving with each newfangled notion.
    — Christopher Barnard, Vogue, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of tyrant
Noun
  • Trump plans to revive talks over North Korea’s nuclear program and wants to meet with the pariah state’s dictator this year, The Wall Street Journal reported.
    — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Israel has carried out raids and strikes on Syrian territory since al-Assad, Syria's longtime dictator, was ousted in December 2024.
    — Frank Andrews, CBS News, 18 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 21 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on despot

Nglish: Translation of despot for Spanish Speakers

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