despotism n. + Add to list US //ˈdɛspəˌtɪzəm// UK //dˈɛspətˌɪzəm// despo·tism SynonymsEtymology Synonyms absolutismauthoritarianismcaesarismdictatorshipmonocracyshogunatestalinismtotalitarianismtyrannyOriginFRAdespotisme→ENdespotism From French despotisme; equivalent to despot + -ism.