'Despot' conveys a sense of absolute power wielded without regard for the well-being of the people. In literature and history, despots are often depicted as symbols of corruption, cruelty, and authoritarianism.
Word 'despot' in Other Languages
- despot in Assamese অসমীয়া
- despot in Bengali বাংলা
- despot in Bodo बड़ो
- despot in Dogri डोगरी
- despot in English
- despot in Gujarati ગુજરાતી
- despot in Hindi हिन्दी
- despot in Kannada ಕನ್ನಡ
- despot in Kashmiri कॉशुर
- despot in Konkani कोंकणी
- despot in Maithili মৈথিলী
- despot in Malayalam മലയാളം
- despot in Manipuri মৈতৈলোন্
- despot in Marathi मराठी
- despot in Nepali नेपाली
- despot in Oriya ଓଡ଼ିଆ
- despot in Punjabi ਪੰਜਾਬੀ
- despot in Sanskrit संस्कृतम्
- despot in Santali
- despot in Sindhi سنڌي
- despot in Tamil தமிழ்
- despot in Telugu తెలుగు
- despot in Urdu اُردُو
despot
Part of Speech
Noun
Pronunciation
English: /ˈdɛspət/, /ˈdɛspɒt/
Definitions
- A ruler with absolute power, typically one who exercises it in a cruel or oppressive way.
- A tyrant or authoritarian leader.
- In historical contexts, a Byzantine or Eastern Orthodox ruler.
Usage Examples
- The despot ruled the country with an iron fist.
- He was regarded as a despot by those who opposed his harsh policies.
- The ancient despot's legacy was one of tyranny and oppression.
Etymology
From Greek despotes meaning "master, lord", through Latin and French influences.
Synonyms
- Tyrant
- Dictator
- Autocrat
- Oppressor
- Authoritarian
Antonyms
- Democrat
- Liberator
- Reformer
- Humanitarian
- Benevolent leader
Translations
| Language | Translations | Pronunciations |
|---|---|---|
| French | despote | /dɛspɔt/ |
| Spanish | déspota | /ˈdespota/ |
| German | Despot | /dɛˈspoːt/ |
| Hindi | तानाशाह | /taːnaːʃaːh/ |
| Tamil | அரசன் | /arasan/ |
| Russian | деспот | /ˈdʲɛspət/ |
| Arabic | طاغية | /tˤaːɣija/ |
| Chinese (Mandarin) | 暴君 | /bào jūn/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
- British English: /ˈdɛspɒt/
- American English: /ˈdɛspət/
Historical Usage
The term has been in use since the 16th century, often referring to oppressive rulers in both political and religious contexts.
Cultural Nuances
The word 'despot' frequently appears in political discourse, often with a highly negative connotation, symbolizing the abuse of power.