'Despotism' definitions:
Definition of 'despotism'
From: WordNet
noun
Dominance through threat of punishment and violence [syn: absolutism, tyranny, despotism]
noun
A form of government in which the ruler is an absolute dictator (not restricted by a constitution or laws or opposition etc.) [syn: dictatorship, absolutism, authoritarianism, Caesarism, despotism, monocracy, one-man rule, shogunate, Stalinism, totalitarianism, tyranny]
Definition of 'Despotism'
From: GCIDE
- Despotism \Des"po*tism\, n. [Cf. F. despotisme.]
- 1. The power, spirit, or principles of a despot; absolute control over others; tyrannical sway; tyranny. "The despotism of vice." --Byron. [1913 Webster]
- 2. A government which is directed by a despot; a despotic monarchy; absolutism; autocracy. [1913 Webster]
- Despotism . . . is the only form of government which may with safety to itself neglect the education of its infant poor. --Bp. Horsley. [1913 Webster]
Synonyms of 'despotism'
From: Moby Thesaurus
- absolute monarchy,
- absolutism,
- argumentum baculinum,
- autarchy,
- authoritarianism,
- autocracy,
- benevolent despotism,
- big stick,
- Caesarism,
- czarism,
- dictatorship,
- domination,
- domineering,
- fascism,
- heavy hand,
- high hand,
- iron boot,
- iron hand,
- iron heel,
- kaiserism,
- monarchy,
- monocracy,
- one-man rule,
- one-party rule,
- oppression,
- paternalism,
- reign of terror,
- repression,
- Stalinism,
- suppression,
- terrorism,
- thought control,
- totalitarianism,
- tyranny