despotism
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.
We face the tyranny of ubiquitous pleasure, of easy comfort—the soft despotism of “Brave New World,” not the brutal authoritarianism of “1984.”
From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026
However, the party said it was proud that Tchiroma Bakary could find "safe sanctuary" in The Gambia, adding that it was fully aware of how "despotism operates and how dissenters are treated".
From BBC • Nov. 24, 2025
But “of all the forms democratic despotism could take,” Tocqueville continues, “the worst would be to turn over all the powers of government to the hands of an irresponsible person.”
From Salon • May 17, 2025
I had spent time in Iraq and knew so many Iraqis like Salam who had suffered under his despotism — and who wanted him gone.
From Seattle Times • Mar. 24, 2023
Prison administration couldn’t help being a despotism, but it could be an enlightened one.
From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover
Vocabulary lists containing despotism
Some Political and Philosophical -isms
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Power Suffix: -ism
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George H.W. Bush (1924 -2018) Tribute List
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