DESPOT

Pronunciation (US):

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does despot mean? 

• DESPOT (noun)
  The noun DESPOT has 1 sense:

1. a cruel and oppressive dictator

  Familiarity information: DESPOT used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• DESPOT (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A cruel and oppressive dictator

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Synonyms:

autocrat; despot; tyrant

Hypernyms ("despot" is a kind of...):

dictator; potentate (a ruler who is unconstrained by law)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "despot"):

czar (a person having great power)

Derivation:

despotic (characteristic of an absolute ruler or absolute rule; having absolute sovereignty)

despotic (ruled by or characteristic of a despot)

despotic; despotical (belonging to or having the characteristics of a despot)

 Context examples 

We had spent gigantic sums and made enormous exertions to curb the power of Napoleon and to prevent him from becoming the universal despot of Europe.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

It was my part after we had discovered in the transformed Henderson the fallen despot, to attach myself to his household and keep the others in touch with his movements.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

I'll get admitted there, and I'll stir up mutiny; and you, three-tailed bashaw as you are, sir, shall in a trice find yourself fettered amongst our hands: nor will I, for one, consent to cut your bonds till you have signed a charter, the most liberal that despot ever yet conferred.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)