as in minion
disapproving
a very loyal member of an organization (such as a company or political party) who always obeys orders
party apparatchiks
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of apparatchik
There’s not much in the way of philosophical heft or psychological insight as the plot follows many decades in the life of Paul Dano’s Vadim Baranov, the fictionalization of a real apparatchik spearheading Putin’s communication strategy.
—
Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 31 Aug. 2025
The new play now at A Red Orchid Theatre is about the existential angst that flows from an acting role only a Soviet apparatchik could truly love: standing in for a murderous dictator with myriad enemies.
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2025
In that time, Tucci appeared in a number of films as either a foot soldier, don, or other apparatchik of an underground criminal organization, including Quick Change, Men of Respect, Billy Bathgate, and The Public Eye.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 19 Mar. 2025
Yet those two factions’ usual disdain for smooth political transitions seemed to wane in February, when Hamas elected a military commander, Yehya Sinwar, to serve as its next leader in Gaza, and the longtime apparatchik Mahmoud al-Aloul became Fatah’s first-ever vice president.
—Grant Rumley, Foreign Affairs, 9 Mar. 2017
See All Example Sentences for apparatchik
Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 31 Aug. 2025
The new play now at A Red Orchid Theatre is about the existential angst that flows from an acting role only a Soviet apparatchik could truly love: standing in for a murderous dictator with myriad enemies.
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2025
In that time, Tucci appeared in a number of films as either a foot soldier, don, or other apparatchik of an underground criminal organization, including Quick Change, Men of Respect, Billy Bathgate, and The Public Eye.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 19 Mar. 2025
Yet those two factions’ usual disdain for smooth political transitions seemed to wane in February, when Hamas elected a military commander, Yehya Sinwar, to serve as its next leader in Gaza, and the longtime apparatchik Mahmoud al-Aloul became Fatah’s first-ever vice president.
—Grant Rumley, Foreign Affairs, 9 Mar. 2017
See All Example Sentences for apparatchik
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apparatchik
Noun
-
Nobody wanted to go there — well, except the oil and gas companies aching to root around for black gold, and their most loyal minions in high places.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Apr. 2026
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Israel is also a part of the ceasefire but was subjected to a last-minute barrage of missile attacks today from Iran and its minions.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Australian law defines war crime murder as the intentional killing in a context of armed conflict of a person who is not taking an active part in the hostilities, such as a civilian, prisoner of war or a wounded soldier.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
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But Israel's military told them explicitly not to, and Lebanese army vehicles were still blocking the path to some southern areas on Friday, the BBC reported, including the entrance to Khiam, which is still occupied by Israeli soldiers.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
He’d been struck that the Milwaukee branch of the adherents to his cause were forever boasting about their superior sanitation systems.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Apr. 2026
-
TikTok obsessives, wellness-culture adherents, and misinformation junkies all end up in need of care.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
That means, of course, she’s now been phased out of her role as a factory lackey in dystopian near-future Brazil due to her age.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Trump wants Americans to believe that his opponents are of this ilk, with his lackeys casting activists as domestic terrorists for merely showing up to protests.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Houston Chronicle,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Apparatchik.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apparatchik. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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