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

Trump has cultivated a direct relationship with Kim, shunning the bureaucratic negotiations that usually precede a deal. — Stephen E. Biegun, Foreign Affairs, 11 Nov. 2026

The Institute is a life-giving center that nevertheless could have a perfunctory, bureaucratic feel. — Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 9 Nov. 2026

Fatehi explained that a bureaucratic overlap triggered the hearing. — Leigh Egan, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2026

Even bureaucratic snafus, like not following the proper procedures when making major changes to regulations, can yield meaningful results, potentially leading to the overturning of regulatory rollbacks and even legal trouble for agency officials. — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2026

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