as in tyranny
a system of government in which the ruler has unlimited power
the Magna Carta is historically important because it signified the British rejection of autocracy and constituted the first formal restraining of the power of the monarch
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of autocracy
The prior President’s approach to China was highly ideological and competitive, stressing democracy versus autocracy, and seeking to align countries against China—while offering Beijing few incentives for cooperation.
—
J. Tedford Tyler, Time, 17 May 2025
If Hungary was an autocracy, then why were its critics still allowed to sit in the middle of the capital and say so?
—Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
As the Eurasian balance tilts toward the autocracies, the risks to U.S. defense commitments continue to rise.
—Michael Beckley, Foreign Affairs, 16 Apr. 2025
But as Trump rages, and aligns the United States with Russia and other autocracies, Ukraine and Europe can’t count on continuing American support.
—David Axe, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for autocracy
J. Tedford Tyler, Time, 17 May 2025
If Hungary was an autocracy, then why were its critics still allowed to sit in the middle of the capital and say so?
—Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
As the Eurasian balance tilts toward the autocracies, the risks to U.S. defense commitments continue to rise.
—Michael Beckley, Foreign Affairs, 16 Apr. 2025
But as Trump rages, and aligns the United States with Russia and other autocracies, Ukraine and Europe can’t count on continuing American support.
—David Axe, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for autocracy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for autocracy
Noun
-
The Allies were an unprecedented coalition of countries, ideologies, and people of all walks of life who stood shoulder to shoulder to defeat tyranny.—
Lt. General Leon Scott Rice,
Boston Herald,
7 May 2025
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For decades, Hollywood cast the American hero — from Rick Blaine to John McClane, Rocky Balboa, Ethan Hunt and Captain America — as the planet’s natural protagonist: the first responder to global chaos, the last line of defense against tyranny.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
7 May 2025
Noun
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For instance, during Rafael Trujillo’s dictatorship in the Dominican Republic from 1930 to 1961, the head of intelligence, Johnny Abbes, was plucked from obscurity in Mexico and in 1958 began to lead the dictator’s repression machine.—
Erica Frantz,
The Conversation,
16 May 2025
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In the Soviet dictatorship, this was meant literally: engineers and senior managers in charge of color film production would be denounced, arrested, and executed during the Great Purges of 1937–1838.—
Matthew Wills,
JSTOR Daily,
15 May 2025
Noun
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Andor is an amazing work of art, not just as a Star Wars show but as an overall series with incredible writing, acting, production values and a relevant take on the rise of fascism.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2025
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The long arm of fascism has stretched all the way to this year’s Cannes Film Festival, where, quite suddenly, nobody is allowed to be naked on the red carpet anymore.—
Rachel Handler,
Vulture,
13 May 2025
Noun
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The necessity of power sharing also meant that Congress could provide a check against despotism even if the same party held the Presidency and a majority in both houses.—
David D. Kirkpatrick,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2025
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And there are worse messages to be putting out into the world via family films right now than celebrating the virtues of kindness and fairness over cruel despotism.—
David Rooney,
The Hollywood Reporter,
19 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Autocracy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/autocracy. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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