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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of autocracy
But if current trends are allowed to continue, Europe may soon encounter a completely militarized autocracy on its borders that is similar to North Korea’s in structure, and far more dangerous.
—
Andrei Yakovlev, Foreign Affairs, 16 May 2025
To understand how the left-leaning Pabst ended up as one of the Nazis’ marquee directors, Kehlmann read deeply about Germany’s slide into autocracy.
—David Segal, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
They are caught up by the logics of war and autocracy.
—Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 16 May 2025
There is certainly a connection between autocracy and corruption.
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for autocracy
Andrei Yakovlev, Foreign Affairs, 16 May 2025
To understand how the left-leaning Pabst ended up as one of the Nazis’ marquee directors, Kehlmann read deeply about Germany’s slide into autocracy.
—David Segal, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
They are caught up by the logics of war and autocracy.
—Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 16 May 2025
There is certainly a connection between autocracy and corruption.
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for autocracy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for autocracy
Noun
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In Serra’s work, nothing claims to be site-specific, and nothing claims to be seen, shown, or commemorated—these are the actual conditions of object experience in a social and economic order ruled by the dual tyranny of compulsive consumption and spectacle.—
Benjamin H. D. Buchloh,
Artforum,
1 June 2025
-
Opposition to tyranny lies at the heart of every freedom movement.—
Daniel Twining,
National Review,
22 May 2025
Noun
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Miami Dade College also owns the Freedom Tower, an iconic building that once welcomed Cubans fleeing the Fidel Castro dictatorship.—
Douglas Hanks,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 June 2025
-
The order bars entry for most applicants seeking tourist, student and business visas, further narrowing the few remaining legal pathways for families torn apart by dictatorship, displacement and economic collapse.—
Verónica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
5 June 2025
Noun
-
At the Seder, Molly compared liberatory ideas to the wind, an invisible force that blows everywhere and can’t be contained, even in the face of fascism.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
9 June 2025
-
This is a core manifestation of fascism — using federal forces to put down dissent.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
8 June 2025
Noun
-
Now American culture bows down to Anna Wintour’s despotism.—
Armond White,
National Review,
9 May 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Autocracy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/autocracy. Accessed 13 Jun. 2025.
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