専制(せんせい)

せんせい
noun
despotism, autocracy, tyranny
formalpolitics
1. despotism, autocracy, tyranny
A system of government or leadership in which one person or group holds absolute power without checks or democratic processes. Used in political, historical, and sometimes figurative contexts.
専制(せんせい)政治(せいじ)が長(なが)く続(つづ)いた。
The despotic rule lasted for a long time.
国民(こくみん)は専制(せんせい)君主(くんしゅ)に反発(はんぱつ)した。
The people revolted against the despotic monarch.
歴史(れきし)の授業(じゅぎょう)で専制(せんせい)と民主制(みんしゅせい)の違(ちが)いについて学(まな)んだ。
In history class, we learned about the difference between autocracy and democracy.

Usage

Primarily used in political and historical discourse. Carries a strongly negative connotation. Can modify nouns directly: 専制(せんせい)政治(せいじ) (despotic rule), 専制(せんせい)君主(くんしゅ) (despot, autocrat).

Related words

Common collocations

  • 専制(せんせい)政治(せいじ): despotic rule
  • 専制(せんせい)君主(くんしゅ): autocratic monarch, despot
  • 専制(せんせい)国家(こっか): autocratic state

Related Words

Synonym: 独裁(どくさい) (dictatorship (modern))
Related: 暴政(ぼうせい) (tyrannical government)
Compare: 民主(みんしゅ) (democracy)
general
Added 2026.3.19 8:07 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
17500/17739_sensei