variants
also autocratical
1
as in oppressive
exercising power or authority without interference by others
democracy is supposed to protect the people against the rise of autocratic rulers
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in authoritarian
fond of ordering people around
an autocratic Boy Scout leader who is under the delusion that he's still an army colonel
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of autocratic
The examples of nuclear physics in Soviet Russia and Chinese research today suggest that science can succeed to a major degree in an autocratic regime, if given enough independence and allowed intellectual commerce with other nations.
—
Scott Montgomery, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
In competitive authoritarian regimes, however, there’s a constant push and pull between democratic and autocratic impulses.
—Karrin Vasby Anderson, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2025
The great power contest today seems to be between who will lead an increasingly autocratic world, and China is moving into the lead.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
Warnings of Bukele's turn to autocratic rule came as early as eight months into his presidency.
—Juanita Goebertus, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for autocratic
Scott Montgomery, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
In competitive authoritarian regimes, however, there’s a constant push and pull between democratic and autocratic impulses.
—Karrin Vasby Anderson, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2025
The great power contest today seems to be between who will lead an increasingly autocratic world, and China is moving into the lead.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
Warnings of Bukele's turn to autocratic rule came as early as eight months into his presidency.
—Juanita Goebertus, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for autocratic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for autocratic
Adjective
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Despite international aid groups withdrawing from Afghanistan due to the Taliban’s oppressive regime and its persecution of women and girls, the Reynolds chose to remain.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN Money,
19 Sep. 2025
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Hurricane season and summer humidity can be oppressive.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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This then begs the question, If there was a majority of Koreans who wanted social democratic style reforms, and their aspirations had the support of American and Korean reformers in the military government, why did South Korea end up with an authoritarian regime led by Syngman Rhee?—
Kornel Chang
September 19,
Literary Hub,
19 Sep. 2025
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Paine, of course, marshalled the phrase in service of a radical anti-authoritarian movement.—
Jon Allsop,
New Yorker,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Americans of a certain type can be just as imperious as their European cousins.—
Louis J. Esterhazy,
Footwear News,
7 Sep. 2025
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The 22-year-old has looked imperious on his way to the final four, not dropping a set.—
Ben Morse,
CNN Money,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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This is how legal systems in despotic regimes operate.—
Andrew Binns,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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The Academy rules work for countries with democratic governments but not for countries with despotic regimes.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Commissioner Cristina Eveillard later said the sheriff was arrogant.—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
20 Sep. 2025
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The lies begin as soon as Max encounters Guillermo, an arrogant nepo baby who blamed him for Ane’s death but now pretends to accept his apology.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The citizens of Venezuela don't deserve to live under the tyrannical rule of Maduro or any of his henchmen!—
Dan Gooding
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Sep. 2025
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Watch The Lost Daughter on Netflix The King Prince Hal (Timothée Chalamet), the heir to the English throne, wants nothing to do with royal life and is living among commoners when his tyrannical father dies.—
Alex Gurley,
People.com,
31 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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These risks multiply when multiple agents collaborate, each trusting outputs from others as authoritative inputs.—
Steve Durbin,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
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In June, more than 20 authoritative organizations, including the National Medical Association and American Academy of Pediatrics, expressed serious concerns for the health impacts of overhauling the advisory committee.—
Jordan Miller,
The Conversation,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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That Trump would explicitly address the dictator issue this week reflects just how head-spinningly fast his dictatorial actions have been coming at us.—
Jackie Calmes,
Mercury News,
30 Aug. 2025
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La'An, meanwhile, starts to exhibit the dictatorial traits of the warmongering Romulans, who — unbeknown to most of the Federation — split off from the Vulcans to go their own way a few millennia previously.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Autocratic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/autocratic. Accessed 23 Sep. 2025.
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