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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.
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
North Korea began sending large numbers of troops and equipment to support Russia’s war against Ukraine last year after high profile meetings between Kim and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, bringing a reclusive and autocratic Asian power into the heart of a European war.
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Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2025
One legendary conflict was between Apple co-founder Steve Jobs and his board, which fired him in 1985 because of his autocratic and demanding manner; 11 years later, Apple brought him back to rebuild the company.
—Harry Kraemer, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
These groups endorse contests that are neither free nor fair, providing autocratic leaders a way to dispute the assessments of more reliable election monitors, such as the Carter Center.
—Sarah Bush, Foreign Affairs, 3 July 2025
Moreover, history has shown that when America retreats behind its two ocean walls, autocratic regimes tend to fill that void and eventually threaten the United States.
—Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 23 June 2025
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Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2025
One legendary conflict was between Apple co-founder Steve Jobs and his board, which fired him in 1985 because of his autocratic and demanding manner; 11 years later, Apple brought him back to rebuild the company.
—Harry Kraemer, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
These groups endorse contests that are neither free nor fair, providing autocratic leaders a way to dispute the assessments of more reliable election monitors, such as the Carter Center.
—Sarah Bush, Foreign Affairs, 3 July 2025
Moreover, history has shown that when America retreats behind its two ocean walls, autocratic regimes tend to fill that void and eventually threaten the United States.
—Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for autocratic
Cite this Entry
“Autocratic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/autocratic. Accessed 27 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
autocratic
adjective
au·to·crat·ic
ˌȯt-ə-ˈkrat-ik 
: of, relating to, or resembling autocracy or an autocrat
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