Synonyms for despotism

Noun

1. absolutism, tyranny, despotism, dominance, ascendance, ascendence, ascendancy, ascendency, control

usage: dominance through threat of punishment and violence

2. dictatorship, absolutism, authoritarianism, Caesarism, despotism, monocracy, one-man rule, shogunate, Stalinism, totalitarianism, tyranny, autocracy, autarchy

usage: a form of government in which the ruler is an absolute dictator (not restricted by a constitution or laws or opposition etc.)