- (n.) The power, spirit or principles of a despot; absolute control over others; tyrannical sway; tyranny.
- (n.) A government which is directed by a despot; a despotic monarchy; absolutism; autocracy.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
| APA | Webster's. (2011). despotism. Retrieved September 22, 2026, from http://smartdefine.org/despotism/definitions/1996713 |
| Chicago | Webster's. 2011. "despotism" http://smartdefine.org/despotism/definitions/1996713 (accessed September 22, 2026). |
| Harvard | Webster's 2011, despotism, Smart Define, viewed 22 September, 2026, <http://smartdefine.org/despotism/definitions/1996713>. |
| MLA | Webster's. "despotism" 27 May 2011. Web. 22 September 2026. <http://smartdefine.org/despotism/definitions/1996713> |