despotic Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective belonging to or having the characteristics of a despot
    despotical.
  2. adjective satellite ruled by or characteristic of a despot
    • moved from a feudal to a despotic order
    • his administration was arrogant and despotic
  3. adjective satellite characteristic of an absolute ruler or absolute rule; having absolute sovereignty
    authoritarian; dictatorial; tyrannic; autocratic; tyrannical.
    • an authoritarian regime
    • autocratic government
    • despotic rulers
    • a dictatorial rule that lasted for the duration of the war
    • a tyrannical government

WordNet

Des*pot"ic, Des*pot"ic*al adjective (Also<
  • Despotic
  • Despotical
)
Etymology
Gr. : cf. F. despotique.
Definitions
  1. Having the character of, or pertaining to, a despot; absolute in power; possessing and abusing unlimited power; evincing despotism; tyrannical; arbitrary. -- Des*pot"ic*al*ly, adv. -- Des*pot"ic*al*ness, n.

Webster 1913