bureaucratic

adjective

bu·​reau·​crat·​ic ˌbyu̇r-ə-ˈkra-tik 

ˌbyər-

: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of a bureaucracy or a bureaucrat

bureaucratic government

a bureaucratic organization

bureaucratic procedures

bureaucratically

ˌbyu̇r-ə-ˈkra-ti-k(ə-)lē 

ˌbyər-

adverb

Examples of bureaucratic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

His uncompromising vision would soon collide with political maneuvering, bureaucratic obstacles and the harsh realities of construction. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2025

So with no hearing and no ruling from a judge, Kangethe was stuck in a bureaucratic void — and considered deportable. —Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025

This bureaucratic tangle is so extreme that many European manufacturers are simply giving up. —Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 17 Oct. 2025

China, by contrast, communicates through political rhetoric that obscures bureaucratic intent. —Lizzi C. Lee, Time, 17 Oct. 2025

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

Phrases Containing bureaucratic

• anti-bureaucratic

Rhymes for bureaucratic

• adiabatic
• aristocratic
• asymptomatic
• axiomatic
• diagrammatic
• diaphragmatic
• electrostatic
• endolymphatic
• epigrammatic
• homeostatic
• idiomatic
• magnetostatic

Kids Definition

bureaucratic

adjective

bu·​reau·​crat·​ic ˌbyu̇r-ə-ˈkrat-ik 

: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of a bureaucracy or bureaucrat

bureaucratically

-ˈkrat-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb