autocratic

adjective

au·​to·​crat·​ic ˌȯ-tə-ˈkra-tik 

variants or less commonly autocratical

ˌȯ-tə-ˈkra-ti-kəl 

1

: of, relating to, or being an autocracy : absolute

an autocratic government

2

: characteristic of or resembling an autocrat : despotic

an autocratic ruler

autocratically

ˌȯ-tə-ˈkra-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Did you know?

Autos in Greek means "same" or "self", so in an autocratic government all the power is held by the leader him- or herself. Autocratic governments are often called dictatorships, or sometimes autocracies. In everyday life, a teacher, a parent, or a football coach can all behave like autocrats as well.

Synonyms of autocratic

• authoritarian
• oppressive
• arbitrary
• despotic
• tyrannical
• dictatorial

Examples of autocratic in a Sentence

democracy is supposed to protect the people against the rise of autocratic rulers

an autocratic Boy Scout leader who is under the delusion that he's still an army colonel

Recent Examples on the Web

All of this is manna for autocratic leaders, who base much of their domestic propaganda on claims of Western weakness and hypocrisy. — Literary Hub, 30 July 2026

My answer focuses on the role of autocratic political elites – that is, the party officials, military officers and other regime insiders who control the state. — José Kaire, The Conversation, 17 July 2026

His government has promised political and economic reform after decades of autocratic rule of the Assad family, which ended when former President Bashar Assad was ousted in an insurgent offensive in December 2024 led by al-Sharaa. — ABC News, 9 July 2026

His government has promised political and economic reform after decades of autocratic rule. — Omar Albam, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

autocrat + -ic entry 1, in part after French autocratique

First Known Use

1769, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for autocratic

• achromatic
• acrobatic
• adriatic
• aliphatic
• antistatic
• aromatic
• astigmatic
• automatic
• bureaucratic
• charismatic
• cholestatic
• cinematic

Kids Definition

autocratic

adjective

au·​to·​crat·​ic ˌȯt-ə-ˈkrat-ik 

: of, relating to, or resembling autocracy or an autocrat

autocratically

-ˈkrat-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb