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

• absolute
• arbitrary
• czarist
• tsarist
• tzarist
• despotic
• dictatorial
• monocratic
• tyrannical
• tyrannic
• tyrannous

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

As a result, autocratic leaders can feel vulnerable, afraid that some unexpected development could trigger a mass mobilization during which true, hidden sentiment of distrust manifests. —Peter Rutland, The Conversation, 14 Aug. 2024

But for many members, the problem was not a loss of faith in the cause, but frustration with the autocratic nature of party leadership. —Xochitl Gonzalez, The Atlantic, 12 Aug. 2024

Bangladesh’s increasingly autocratic leader, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, resigned and fled the country Monday following weeks of unrest. —Ellen Ioanes, Vox, 5 Aug. 2024

Analysts believe the election may be the the greatest opportunity Venezuelans will have to return the nation to a democratic system after more than 25 years of autocratic socialist rule. —Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 28 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1769, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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