despotic
Brooking no dissent
Despotic describes rule by absolute power, typically exercised harshly or oppressively.
A despotic ruler governs without constitutional limits or accountability.
The word extends beyond politics: a despotic boss or despotic parent wields authority arbitrarily and brooks no dissent.
His despotic management style drove away talented employees.
Imposing absolute control
- oppressiveUnjustly harsh or stifling
- domineeringAggressively asserting control
- imperiousArrogantly authoritative
- overbearingArrogantly dominating in manner
high-handed · iron-fisted · draconian · arbitrary · heavy-handed · authoritarian · totalitarian · absolutist
Unjust exercise of power
- repressionUnconscious blocking of thoughts
- censorshipOfficial content restriction
- coercionPressured compliance through threats
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
surveillance · propaganda · subjugation · persecution · purge · crackdown · suppression · indoctrination
Lacking any compassion
- mercilessShowing no clemency
- brutalSavagely harsh or severe
- cruelWillfully causing suffering
- pitilessLacking any compassion
heartless · savage · harsh · severe · unrelenting · callous · remorseless · unsparing
Unchecked single-ruler government
- autocracyRule by one
- totalitarianismState controls everything absolutely
- tyrannyOppressive, absolute governance
- oligarchyRule by few
junta · regime · monarchy · sultanate · feudalism · authoritarianism · fascism · absolutism
dictatorial
Imposing absolute control
- oppressiveUnjustly harsh or stifling
- domineeringAggressively asserting control
- imperiousArrogantly authoritative
overbearing · high-handed · iron-fisted · draconian · arbitrary · heavy-handed · authoritarian · totalitarian · absolutist · unaccountable
oppression
Unjust exercise of power
- repressionUnconscious blocking of thoughts
- censorshipOfficial content restriction
- coercionPressured compliance through threats
intimidation · surveillance · propaganda · subjugation · persecution · purge · crackdown · suppression · indoctrination · imprisonment
ruthless
Lacking any compassion
pitiless · heartless · savage · harsh · severe · unrelenting · callous · remorseless · unsparing · cold-blooded
dictatorship
Unchecked single-ruler government
- autocracyRule by one
- totalitarianismState controls everything absolutely
- tyrannyOppressive, absolute governance
oligarchy · junta · regime · monarchy · sultanate · feudalism · authoritarianism · fascism · absolutism
tyrant
Cruel, absolute ruler
sovereign · emperor · overlord · potentate · czar · sultan · pharaoh · shah · khan · caliph
- oppressivestifling, suffocating, smothering, crushing, repressive
- tyrannytyrant, tyranny, dictator, autocracy, oppressor
despoticdemocratic
Government by the people
republican · constitutional · representative · parliamentary · egalitarian
despoticrestrained
Held under control
limited · circumscribed · restricted · accountable · checked
despoticmerciful
Disposed toward forgiveness
humane · tolerant · benevolent · compassionate · lenient