Despote (en. Despot)

/dɛpɔt/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench

noun

A head of state who possesses tyrannical power.

The despot ruled his people with an iron fist.

Le despote régnait sur son peuple d'une main de fer.

A person who exerts excessive or oppressive authority.

She appeared to be a despot at work, leaving no room for discussion.

Elle avait l'air d'un despote au travail, ne laissant aucune place à la discussion.

Autocratic sovereign, often unjust.

He acted like a despot, ignoring the rights of his citizens.

Il se comportait en despote, ignorant les droits de ses citoyens.

From the Greek 'despotes', meaning 'master' or 'lord'.

enlightened despot

Sovereign who exercises authoritarian power while promoting reforms.

despote éclairé

benevolent despot

Tyrant who sees himself as acting for the good of his people.

despote bienveillant

reign of the despot

Period of a despot's domination over a country or region.

règne du despote

tyrant

A leader who uses force or cruelty to gain control.

tyran

dictatorship

A regime where power is held by a single person or a small group.

dictature

autocracy

A system of government where one person holds all the power.

autocratie

A leader who disregards the wishes of the people.

This leader is a despot; he only cares about his own power.

Ce chef est un despote, il ne se soucie que de son propre pouvoir.

A person who behaves in an authoritarian manner.

In this company, the boss is a real despot.

Dans cette entreprise, le patron est un vrai despote.