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Despotic vs Authoritative - What's the difference?

despotic | authoritative | Related terms |

As adjectives the difference between despotic and authoritative

is that despotic is of or pertaining to a despot or tyrant while authoritative is arising or originating from a figure of authority.

despotic

English

Alternative forms

* despotick

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Of or pertaining to a despot or tyrant.
    • This despotic age of the empire ended in a revolt.
  • Acting or ruling as a despot, tyrannical.
    • The despotic king dissolved the parliament, and took personal control of the country.

    Synonyms

    * (acting or ruling as a despot) domineering, tyrannical

    Related terms

    * despot * despotate * despotical * despotically * despotism * despotist * despotize

    authoritative

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Arising or originating from a figure of authority
    • The authoritative rules in this school come not from the headmaster but from the aged matron.
  • Highly accurate or definitive; treated or worthy of treatment as a scholarly authority
    • This book is the world's most authoritative guide to insect breeding habits.
  • Having a commanding style.
    • He instructed us in that booming, authoritative voice of his.

    Synonyms

    * (highly accurate) definitive; precise, proper * (from a position of authority) of record

    Derived terms

    * authoritatively * authoritativeness