despotism

/ˈdespətɪzəm/ (bre, ipa) · [dˈɛspətˌɪzəm] /ˈdespətɪzəm/ (ame, ipa) · [dˈɛspətˌɪzəm] /ˈde-spə-ˌti-zəm How to pronounce despotism (audio)/ (ame, mw)

despotism — 名詞

1. a way of governing in which one ruler keeps complete control and uses that power

1.名詞C1
釋義

專制；暴政

一人握權並殘酷統治的制度

a way of governing in which one ruler keeps complete control and uses that power in a harsh, unfair way

例句

After the coup, the country slid into despotism and newspapers disappeared within weeks.

政變後，這個國家滑向專制統治，幾週內報紙就都消失了。

pattern: slide into despotism

Jin said the emergency law gave one minister a path toward despotism.

Jin 說，這條緊急法讓某位部長有機會走向專制統治。

pattern: path toward despotism

同義詞
  • autocracy

    close in meaning, but more neutral and more focused on the structure of one-person rule

  • dictatorship

    the more common modern news word for a country ruled by one leader or group

  • tyranny

    stresses the suffering and injustice caused by cruel rule

  • absolutism

    more historical and often used for political theory rather than everyday criticism

反義詞
  • democracy

    a system where leaders can be replaced and power is limited by elections and institutions

  • constitutional government

    government whose powers are restricted by law, not exercised without checks

文法句型

under despotism

into despotism

toward despotism

用法筆記

Usually refers to political rule by a ruler or regime, not to ordinary strict behaviour at home or work. It often appears in history or political analysis when a writer wants to stress both absolute power and cruelty.

常見錯誤

❌My coach runs the team with despotism.
✅My coach runs the team in a very controlling way.
💡despotism is mainly used for political rule, not for ordinary authority in sport or daily life.
❌The despotism gave a speech on television.
✅The despot gave a speech on television.
💡despotism is the system of rule; the ruler is a despot.