despotic
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
George Orwell’s “1984” famously presents constant government surveillance as science fiction, a step up from the persistent but not quite universal surveillance of despotic states such as the U.S.S.R.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 1, 2026
In case you’ve forgotten the events of 2014’s “The Lego Movie,” it’s about a group of heroes resisting the conformist authoritarianism of a ridiculous figure called President Business, also known as the despotic Lord Business.
From Salon ● Apr. 26, 2026
Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, and Francisco Franco had heir faces on stamps, currency, and coins during their respective despotic reigns.
From Slate ● Dec. 20, 2025
In reality they were abandoned to poverty under the rule of despotic local leaders.
From BBC ● May 25, 2024
Compared to the despotic societies that were the norm in Europe and Asia, Haudenosaunee was a libertarian dream.
From "1491" by Charles C. Mann
Vocabulary lists containing despotic
The Scarlet Letter
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Grade 11, List 6
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"Shooting an Elephant" by George Orwell
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