potentate
One who reigns
A potentate is a powerful ruler or monarch, especially one with absolute authority.
The word carries a grand, somewhat old-fashioned tone and often appears in historical or literary contexts: The potentate summoned his advisors.
It can be used sarcastically for anyone acting imperiously: He struts around the office like a potentate.
Male ruler of empire
- sultanMuslim royal ruler
- czarAbsolute ruler or appointee
- khanTurkic sovereign title
- caliphIslamic head of state
pharaoh · shogun · mogul · king · queen · prince · regent · monarch
Ceremonial chair for sovereigns
- crownSovereign's ornamental headpiece
- scepterCeremonial staff of sovereignty
- orbLuminous celestial body
- palaceMonarch's official residence
coronation · royal robes · diadem · tiara · ermine · signet ring · royal seal · canopy
Ruler with absolute power
- dictatorRuler with total control
- tyrantCruel, absolute ruler
- oppressorOne who dominates cruelly
- strongmanPowerful lifter or despot
usurper · iron fist · totalitarian · repression · subjugation · persecution · despotism · absolutism
Authority to rule
- sovereigntySupreme independent authority
- reignSovereign's time in power
- ruleGoverning principle or standard
- commandAuthoritative instruction given
decree · mandate · jurisdiction · supremacy · hegemony · ascendancy · sway · prerogative
emperor
Male ruler of empire
caliph · pharaoh · shogun · mogul · king · queen · prince · regent · monarch · sovereign
throne
Ceremonial chair for sovereigns
- crownSovereign's ornamental headpiece
- scepterCeremonial staff of sovereignty
- orbLuminous celestial body
palace · coronation · royal robes · diadem · tiara · ermine · signet ring · royal seal · canopy · palanquin
despot
Ruler with absolute power
strongman · usurper · iron fist · totalitarian · repression · subjugation · persecution · despotism · absolutism · tyranny
dominion
Authority to rule
- sovereigntySupreme independent authority
- reignSovereign's time in power
- ruleGoverning principle or standard
command · decree · mandate · jurisdiction · supremacy · hegemony · ascendancy · sway · prerogative · divine right
kingdom
Monarch's ruled territory
principality · dominion · fiefdom · duchy · caliphate · domain · territory · court · dynasty · realm
- noble titlesking, queen, prince, princess, duke
- rulersmonarch, Caesar, ruler, sovereign, emperor
- autocratsautocrat, despot, dictator, tyrant, strongman
- fraternal orderslodge, Freemason, lodges, Mason, Shriner
- ShrinersShriners, fez, nobles, fraternal order, scimitar
- leadersleader, boss, leaders, bosses, chiefs
potentatesubject
Matter under discussion
servant · slave · underling · vassal · subordinate
potentatefigurehead
Nominal leader, no authority
puppet · puppet ruler · titular head · constitutional monarch · front man