1. a political system in which a ruler has complete and unrestricted power
Usage: political science
2. the belief that certain principles or values are absolute and not relative
Usage: philosophy

Examples

• The king’s absolutism left no room for parliamentary input.
• Louis XIV’s reign exemplified political absolutism in France.
• The revolution ended centuries of royal absolutism.
• His moral absolutism made him inflexible in ethical debates.
• The philosopher rejected absolutism in favor of cultural relativism.
• Absolutism dominated European monarchies in the 17th century.
• Critics argued that her absolutism prevented compromise.