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

At a Sunday rally in Georgia, Ossoff needled Trump for accepting a new Air Force One plane from the autocratic monarchy of Qatar and for reportedly hiding in a catering truck to switch to a different plane in Turkey last month. — Joseph Konig, PEOPLE, 20 Aug. 2026

Increasing the stakes is Florida’s connection to Latin America, given that many expats settled in the state after fleeing autocratic leftist regimes in Cuba and Venezuela. — Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2026

For the United States, that means encouraging reform, including human rights protections, and calling off the bargain that has allowed autocratic allies to get away with grievous repression. — Marc Lynch, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026

Elections were still routinely held, largely free from undue burdens or autocratic manipulation. — Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 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