despot
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despot
A ruler with unrestricted, absolute power who exercises it arbitrarily and often cruelly. A tyrant or oppressive ruler.
Das Volk litt jahrelang unter der Schreckensherrschaft des Despoten.
The people suffered for years under the despot's reign of terror.
The word 'Despot' (despot) belongs to a word family with the adjective 'despotisch' (despotic) and the noun 'Despotismus' (despotism). 'Despotisch' describes a person's behavior, while 'Despotismus' refers to the form of rule.
Sein Führungsstil wird von vielen als despotisch empfunden.
Many people perceive his leadership style as despotic.
'Despot' (despot) is a word with a very strong negative connotation. It expresses not only authority, but also arbitrariness and cruelty, and is used to strongly criticize someone.
Er wird von seinen Mitarbeitern hinter vorgehaltener Hand als Despot bezeichnet.
Behind closed doors, his employees refer to him as a despot.
In the historical or political meaning, 'Despot' (despot) is often combined with adjectives that emphasize his power and cruelty. Common combinations are 'ein grausamer Despot' (a cruel despot) or 'ein absoluter Despot' (an absolute despot).
Die Geschichte ist voll von Beispielen grausamer Despoten.
History is full of examples of cruel despots.
You can recognize the figurative meaning from the context. If people are talking about the workplace, the family, or a circle of friends, it usually means a domineering person in everyday life, not a political ruler.
In der Familie spielt er sich als kleiner Despot auf und will alles bestimmen.
In the family, he plays the petty despot and wants to decide everything.
ruler
'der Herrscher' and 'der Despot' can both refer to a person who has power over others. 'Herrscher' is more neutral: it can be a king, emperor, or dictator, without the word itself already saying whether this person rules well or cruelly. 'Despot' is clearly more negative. It refers to someone who rules over others very strictly, arbitrarily, and often cruelly. In a figurative sense, both words can also be used for control in a smaller area, but 'Despot' sounds much stronger and more critical.
Der Despot traf alle Entscheidungen allein und bestrafte jeden Widerspruch.
The despot made all decisions alone and punished any opposition.
Der Herrscher ließ eine neue Brücke über den Fluss bauen.
The ruler had a new bridge built over the river.