What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
despotism
Example
The country was ruled by despotism for many years. [despotism: noun]
Example
The despotism of the regime led to widespread human rights violations. [despotism: noun]
tyranny
Example
The people rebelled against the tyranny of the king. [tyranny: noun]
Example
The company's management was accused of practicing tyranny over its employees. [tyranny: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Tyranny is more commonly used than despotism in everyday language. Tyranny is a stronger and more emotive term that is often used to describe historical or current events, while despotism is a more neutral and less common term.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between despotism and tyranny?
Both despotism and tyranny are formal terms that are typically used in academic or political contexts. However, tyranny is more commonly used in everyday language and has a stronger emotional impact than despotism.
