despot
Meaning: one who has total power and rules brutally
Usage: The despot punished anyone who openly challenged his rule.
potentate
Meaning: one who has great power, a ruler
Usage: All the villagers stood along the town’s main road to observe as the potentate’s procession headed towards the capital.
demagogue
Meaning: a leader who appeals to a people’s prejudices
Usage: The demagogue strengthened his hold over his people by blaming immigrants for the lack of jobs.
hegemony
Meaning: domination over others
Usage: Britain’s hegemony over its colonies was threatened once nationalist sentiment began to spread around the world.
sovereign
Meaning: having absolute authority in a certain realm
Usage: The sovereign ruler had final authority over the kingdom’s laws.