despotism
/ˈdɛspətɪzəm/ noun
Forms despotisms
- noun Government by a despot or despots: rule by a singular authority, either a single person or a tight-knit group, which rules with absolute power, especially in a cruel and oppressive way.
Synonyms
absolutism autocracy dictatorship tyranny authoritarianism Caesarism monocracy one-man rule shogunate Stalinism totalitarianism
Etymology
From French despotisme; equivalent to despot + -ism.
Webster’s 1913
- noun The power, spirit, or principles of a despot; absolute control over others; tyrannical sway; tyranny. "The despotism of vice." Byron.
- noun A government which is directed by a despot; a despotic monarchy; absolutism; autocracy.
Etymology [Cf. F. despotisme.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “despotism”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details