0 a person, especially a ruler, who has unlimited power over other people, and often uses it unfairly and cruelly:
an evil despot
The king was regarded as having been an enlightened despot.
1 a ruler who has unlimited power and often uses it unfairly and cruelly
The peoples who wanted to free themselves from domestic or foreign despots always almost defined themselves by nationality.
The concept of merit was labelled a tool of despots as it created hierarchies among men.
Pageantry - whether in the form of airy spirits or vocal arias - distracts both despots from more pressing, worldly concerns.
Convinced of e the justice of their cause, revolutionary troops bore down with cold steel on the terrified hirelings of despots.
Indeed, the only real worries related to citizens and civil society seem to be about the extent of their injuries suffered at the hands of evil despots or unyielding bureaucrats.
Nurses are not all callous women and despots, as many people think.
I quite admit that he is, or tries to be, a benevolent despot.
By the timely deployment of troops, or by diplomatic initiatives or other suitable counter-measures, the ill-disposed despot can be prevented from launching an invasion.