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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
Critics, including autocratic governments across the region, view it as a threat.
—
Omar Akour, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025
This new, more favorable vision of Russia was developing its own intellectual architecture, one that married isolationism, nationalism and traditionalism with a growing appreciation for autocratic strongmen who were bending their countries to their will.
—Eric Jason Martin Tanya Pérez Ted Blaisdell, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
As Jews prepare to celebrate Passover’s theme of freedom, Israel and the United States face the prospect of autocratic rule.
—Ben Krull, New York Daily News, 12 Apr. 2025
Innovation is not just about developing new technologies but about creating new ways of working that can counter autocratic nations through the power of managerial democracy.
—Davide Sartini, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
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Omar Akour, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025
This new, more favorable vision of Russia was developing its own intellectual architecture, one that married isolationism, nationalism and traditionalism with a growing appreciation for autocratic strongmen who were bending their countries to their will.
—Eric Jason Martin Tanya Pérez Ted Blaisdell, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
As Jews prepare to celebrate Passover’s theme of freedom, Israel and the United States face the prospect of autocratic rule.
—Ben Krull, New York Daily News, 12 Apr. 2025
Innovation is not just about developing new technologies but about creating new ways of working that can counter autocratic nations through the power of managerial democracy.
—Davide Sartini, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 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 2 May. 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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