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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
Jam Sta Rosa/AFP via Getty Images Threatening to strip licenses from TV news broadcasters
Journalist Maria Ressa says Rodrigo Duterte, the Philippines' autocratic former president, used similar tactics.
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Frank Langfitt, NPR, 1 May 2025
In some cases, strongmen crave popular support, so the popular will can sustains autocratic stability.
—Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 1 May 2025
True, durable freedom isn’t found in currying favor but is enshrined in laws, embedded in rights and upheld by structures designed to protect the individual from the potential tyranny of the tyrant, the mob or the autocratic state.
—Ari Hart, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2025
Political-science research reveals that autocratic leaders can be successfully challenged.
—Julia Angwin, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2025
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Frank Langfitt, NPR, 1 May 2025
In some cases, strongmen crave popular support, so the popular will can sustains autocratic stability.
—Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 1 May 2025
True, durable freedom isn’t found in currying favor but is enshrined in laws, embedded in rights and upheld by structures designed to protect the individual from the potential tyranny of the tyrant, the mob or the autocratic state.
—Ari Hart, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2025
Political-science research reveals that autocratic leaders can be successfully challenged.
—Julia Angwin, New Yorker, 12 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 21 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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