as in ruler
one who rules over a people with a sole, supreme, and usually hereditary authority
European autocrats once commonly believed that they had received the right to rule directly from God
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Recent Examples of autocrat
The central tenet of competitive authoritarianism, though, is that an autocrat, even one who has already stacked the deck, can still lose.
—
Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
Of course, being an autocrat, Palpatine will use this attempt on his life to justify actually slaughtering thousands of Jedi.
—Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 28 Apr. 2025
The Down-to-Earth Pope In a historic moment characterized by autocrats and would-be autocrats, Francis was the antithesis of a strongman.
—Bluesky Social, 21 Apr. 2025
Ironically, many of these leaders have been publicly admired by former President Trump, who has expressed praise for autocrats embracing nationalist economic models.
—Solange Charas, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for autocrat
Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
Of course, being an autocrat, Palpatine will use this attempt on his life to justify actually slaughtering thousands of Jedi.
—Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 28 Apr. 2025
The Down-to-Earth Pope In a historic moment characterized by autocrats and would-be autocrats, Francis was the antithesis of a strongman.
—Bluesky Social, 21 Apr. 2025
Ironically, many of these leaders have been publicly admired by former President Trump, who has expressed praise for autocrats embracing nationalist economic models.
—Solange Charas, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for autocrat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for autocrat
Noun
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The arid peninsula off Saudi Arabia in the Persian Gulf, similar in size to Connecticut, boasts deep reserves of oil and gas that have made the country the fourth-wealthiest in the world by per capita GDP and enriched its rulers, the House of Thani.—
Jeremy Bogaisky,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2025
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Flashpoint Kashmir has been a flashpoint since 1947, when British India was hastily divided into two by its former colonial rulers.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
14 May 2025
Noun
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Corruption might be business as usual under monarchs, where the very purpose of a state is to serve its king.—
Elizabeth Shackelford,
Chicago Tribune,
16 May 2025
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Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams claimed to Fox News Digital that Prince Harry’s pleas to reconcile with his family, while also airing dirty laundry, could undermine Charles’ leadership as a monarch who is battling cancer.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Autocrat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/autocrat. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
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