bureaucratic

adjective

bu·​reau·​crat·​ic ˌbyu̇r-ə-ˈkra-tik How to pronounce bureaucratic (audio)
ˌbyər-
Synonyms of bureaucraticnext
: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of a bureaucracy or a bureaucrat
bureaucratic government
a bureaucratic organization
bureaucratic procedures
bureaucratically adverb

Examples of bureaucratic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Yet political and bureaucratic sclerosis, combined with an unbalanced statist economy, ultimately led to its demise. Zongyuan Zoe Liu, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025 These cancellations, at the last stage of a bureaucratic journey that can last for years, have caused chaos and confusion for thousands of immigrants who did everything by the book. Rebecca Schneid, Time, 10 Dec. 2025 Enacted by the country’s ruling Communist Party in May, the policy focuses on bolstering the private sector by providing incentives to companies such as reduced bureaucratic hurdles and better access to things like capital. Sean Conlon, CNBC, 9 Dec. 2025 Several states had already begun making this revision, as had bureaucratic agencies including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 6 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bureaucratic

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French bureaucratique, from bureaucrate bureaucrat or bureaucratie bureaucracy + -ique -ic entry 1

First Known Use

1800, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bureaucratic was in 1800

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bureaucratic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bureaucratic. Accessed 18 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

bureaucratic

adjective
bu·​reau·​crat·​ic ˌbyu̇r-ə-ˈkrat-ik How to pronounce bureaucratic (audio)
: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of a bureaucracy or bureaucrat
bureaucratically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on bureaucratic

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