a leader with great power, especially one who uses it in a cruel way (Oxford)
2. a person, especially a ruler, who has unlimited power over other people, and often uses it unfairly and cruelly (Cambridge)
It is the story of a military coup which brings a brutal despot to power. (Oxford)
The king was regarded as having been an enlightened despot. (Cambridge)
a brutal despot to power
having been an enlightened despot
Autocrat
Tyrant
Commoner
Democrat.
Despotic