bureaucratic

adjective

bu·​reau·​crat·​ic ˌbyu̇r-ə-ˈkra-tik 

ˌbyər-

: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of a bureaucracy or a bureaucrat

bureaucratic government

a bureaucratic organization

bureaucratic procedures

bureaucratically

ˌbyu̇r-ə-ˈkra-ti-k(ə-)lē 

ˌbyər-

adverb

Examples of bureaucratic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Foley is committed to permitting more housing, by reducing the bureaucratic hurdles and, most important, to jumpstart the construction of market-rate housing. —The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 16 Apr. 2026

If students have to hunt for support, wait days for answers or navigate bureaucratic handoffs, the institution is effectively taxing them for having a life outside the classroom. —Ian Gibson, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026

Florida officials argue the current system is overly bureaucratic and, in some cases, ideologically driven. —Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2026

Many workers never received support due to insufficient funds or bureaucratic barriers. —Maria Flynn, Fortune, 15 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French bureaucratique, from bureaucrate bureaucrat or bureaucratie bureaucracy + -ique -ic entry 1

First Known Use

1800, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing bureaucratic

• anti-bureaucratic

Rhymes for bureaucratic

• adiabatic
• aristocratic
• asymptomatic
• axiomatic
• diagrammatic
• diaphragmatic
• electrostatic
• endolymphatic
• epigrammatic
• homeostatic
• idiomatic
• magnetostatic

Kids Definition

bureaucratic

adjective

bu·​reau·​crat·​ic ˌbyu̇r-ə-ˈkrat-ik 

: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of a bureaucracy or bureaucrat

bureaucratically

-ˈkrat-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb