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Despot vs Overlord - What's the difference?

despot | overlord |

As nouns the difference between despot and overlord

is that despot is despot while overlord is a ruler of other rulers.

despot

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • A ruler with absolute power; a tyrant.
  • (label) A title awarded to senior members of the imperial family in the late Byzantine Empire, and claimed by various independent or semi-autonomous rulers in the Balkans (12th to 15th centuries)

    • Derived terms

    * despotate * despotism

    Anagrams

    * * *

    References

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    overlord

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A ruler of other rulers.
    • The various tribal chieftains met each spring to elect an overlord that would lead them in time of war.
  • Anyone with overarching power or authority in a given domain.
    • The crusty old professor was overlord of the history department, and few dared to cross his will.
  • *

    • Usage notes

    * The second sense frequently carries negative connotations; calling one an overlord can imply tyranny or authoritarianism.

    Derived terms

    * overlordship