Antonyms for despoticdespot·ic

WiktionaryRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. despoticadjective

   Acting or ruling as a despot, tyrannical.

   The despotic king dissolved the parliament, and took personal control of the country.

   Synonyms:
   domineering, tyrannical

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:4.5 / 2 votes

1. despotic

   In the strict sense, absolute, free from all limitation or control, and supreme, superior to all, can not properly be said of any being except the divine. Both words are used, however, in a modified sense, of human authorities; absolute then signifying free from limitation by other authority, and supreme exalted over all other; as, an absolute monarch, the supreme court. Absolute, in this use, does not necessarily carry any unfavorable sense, but as absolute power in human hands is always abused, the unfavorable meaning predominates. Autocratic power knows no limits outside the ruler's self; arbitrary power, none outside the ruler's will or judgment, arbitrary carrying the implication of wilfulness and capriciousness. Despotic is commonly applied to a masterful or severe use of power, which is expressed more decidedly by tyrannical. Arbitrary may be used in a good sense; as, the pronunciation of proper names is arbitrary; but the bad sense is the prevailing one; as, an arbitrary proceeding. Irresponsible power is not necessarily bad, but eminently dangerous; an executor or trustee should not be irresponsible; an irresponsible ruler is likely to be tyrannical. A perfect ruler might be irresponsible and not tyrannical. Authoritative is used always in a good sense, implying the right to claim authority; imperative, peremptory, and positive are used ordinarily in the good sense; as, an authoritative definition; an imperative demand; a peremptory command; positive instructions; imperious signifies assuming and determined to command, rigorously requiring obedience. An imperious demand or requirement may have in it nothing offensive; it is simply one that resolutely insists upon compliance, and will not brook refusal; an arrogant demand is offensive by its tone of superiority, an arbitrary demand by its unreasonableness; an imperious disposition is liable to become arbitrary and arrogant. A person of an independent spirit is inclined to resent an imperious manner in any one, especially in one whose superiority is not clearly recognized. Commanding is always used in a good sense; as, a commanding appearance; a commanding eminence. Compare DOGMATIC; INFINITE; PERFECT.

   Antonyms:
   accountable, complaisant, compliant, conditional, constitutional, contingent, docile, ductile, gentle, humble, lenient, limited, lowly, meek, mild, responsible, submissive, yielding

   Synonyms:
   absolute, arbitrary, arrogant, authoritative, autocratic, coercive, commanding, compulsive, compulsory, controlling, dictatorial, dogmatic, domineering, exacting, haughty, imperative, imperious, irresponsible, lordly, overbearing, peremptory, positive, supreme, tyrannical, unconditional, unequivocal

Complete Dictionary of Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:4.0 / 1 vote

1. despotic

   Antonyms:
   limited, constitutional, humane, merciful

   Synonyms:
   autocratic, domineering, arbitrary, arrogant, imperious, self-willed, irresponsible, absolute, cruel, tyrannical

Princeton's WordNetRate these antonyms:3.0 / 4 votes

1. despotic, despoticaladjective

   belonging to or having the characteristics of a despot

   Antonyms:
   democratic

   Synonyms:
   despotical, authoritarian, dictatorial, tyrannical, tyrannic, autocratic

2. despoticadjective

   ruled by or characteristic of a despot

   "moved from a feudal to a despotic order"; "his administration was arrogant and despotic"

   Antonyms:
   democratic

   Synonyms:
   despotical, authoritarian, dictatorial, tyrannical, tyrannic, autocratic

3. authoritarian, autocratic, dictatorial, despotic, tyrannic, tyrannicaladjective

   characteristic of an absolute ruler or absolute rule; having absolute sovereignty

   "an authoritarian regime"; "autocratic government"; "despotic rulers"; "a dictatorial rule that lasted for the duration of the war"; "a tyrannical government"

   Antonyms:
   democratic

   Synonyms:
   tyrannical, despotical, overbearing, high-and-mighty, autocratic, authoritarian, oppressive, bossy, dictatorial, magisterial, peremptory, tyrannous, dominating, tyrannic

Synonyms, Antonyms & Associated WordsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. despoticadjective

   Synonyms:
   autocratic, tyrannical, absolute, despotical

How to use despotic in a sentence?

1. Donald Trump:

   You know the last time I jokingly said that the papers start saying,' He's got despotic tendencies,' no, I'm not looking to do it. Unless you want to do it, that's OK.

2. Gregg Roman:

   What I ’m afraid of is that if there is a complete withdrawal, you lose the ability to reform the agency from within and it becomes more despotic than it is.

3. Lucy Cooke:

   It's called cooperative breeding, which always makes me laugh because it's not really so much, it's a bit despotic.

4. William Hazlitt:

   Fashon is the abortive issue of vain ostentation and exclusive egotism it is haughty, trifling, affected, servile, despotic, mean and ambitious, precise and fantastical, all in a breath -- tied to no rule, and bound to conform to every whim of the minute.

5. Fox News:

   What worries me a good bit, is how these despotic regimes are emboldened to push back against the United States, we need to send a strong message to our adversaries, and to this new axis of evil of Russia, China, Iran and North Korea that we are going to push back on them and we will not let them win.

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