Despotism: meaning, definitions and examples
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despotism
[ หdษspษหtษชzษm ]
government control
Despotism refers to a form of government in which a single entity rules with absolute power and authority, often exercising oppressive control over its citizens.
Synonyms
autocracy, dictatorship, tyranny
Examples of usage
- Under the despotism of the dictator, the citizens had no freedom of speech.
- The despotism of the monarchy led to widespread dissatisfaction among the population.
domineering behavior
Despotism can also refer to the behavior of a person who exercises tyrannical control over others, often in a harsh and cruel manner.
Synonyms
dominance, oppression, tyrannical behavior
Examples of usage
- The boss's despotism in the office created a toxic work environment.
- Her despotism over her siblings made family gatherings tense and unpleasant.
Translations
Translations of the word "despotism" in other languages:
๐ต๐น despotismo
๐ฎ๐ณ เคจเคฟเคฐเคเคเฅเคถเคคเคพ
๐ฉ๐ช Despotismus
๐ฎ๐ฉ despotisme
๐บ๐ฆ ะดะตัะฟะพัะธะทะผ
๐ต๐ฑ despotyzm
๐ฏ๐ต ๅฐๅถๆฟๆฒป
๐ซ๐ท despotisme
๐ช๐ธ despotismo
๐น๐ท despotizm
๐ฐ๐ท ์ ์ ์ฃผ์
๐ธ๐ฆ ุงุณุชุจุฏุงุฏ
๐จ๐ฟ despotismus
๐ธ๐ฐ despotizmus
๐จ๐ณ ไธๅถ
๐ธ๐ฎ despotizem
๐ฎ๐ธ einrรฆรฐisstefna
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะดะตัะฟะพัะธะทะผ
๐ฌ๐ช แแแกแแแขแแแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ despotizm
๐ฒ๐ฝ despotismo
Word origin
The term 'despotism' originated from the Greek word 'despotes', meaning 'master' or 'lord'. It was initially used to describe rulers with absolute power in ancient Greece. Over time, the concept evolved to encompass oppressive and tyrannical forms of government or behavior. Despotism has been a subject of philosophical and political debate, with thinkers like Montesquieu and Locke critiquing its dangers to individual freedom and democracy.
See also: despotic, despotically.