What is the meaning of despotic?

Belonging to or having the characteristics of a despot.
- synonyms: despotical
Ruled by or characteristic of a despot.
- usage: "moved from a feudal to a despotic order"; "his administration was arrogant and despotic"
Characteristic of an absolute ruler or absolute rule; having absolute sovereignty.
- usage: "an authoritarian regime"; "autocratic government"; "despotic rulers"; "a dictatorial rule that lasted for the duration of the war"; "a tyrannical government"
- synonyms: authoritarian, autocratic, dictatorial, tyrannic, tyrannical

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APA	WordNet. (2010). despotic. Retrieved September 20, 2026, from http://smartdefine.org/despotic/definitions/1172305
Chicago	WordNet. 2010. "despotic" http://smartdefine.org/despotic/definitions/1172305 (accessed September 20, 2026).
Harvard	WordNet 2010, despotic, Smart Define, viewed 20 September, 2026, <http://smartdefine.org/despotic/definitions/1172305>.
MLA	WordNet. "despotic" 23 October 2010. Web. 20 September 2026. <http://smartdefine.org/despotic/definitions/1172305>

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