How Do You Spell DESPOTIZES?
Pronunciation: [dˈɛspətˌa͡ɪzɪz] (IPA) 
The word "despotizes" is spelled with a "z" instead of an "s" because of the pronunciation of the letter "t" in the middle of the word. When pronounced, the "t" sound is closer to a "tz" sound due to the following "i" and "z" sounds. This is represented in the phonetic transcription as /dɛspətaɪzɪz/, with the "tz" sound represented by the "z" at the end of the word. "Despotizes" means to act like a despot, or an authoritarian ruler with absolute power.
