autocratic

adjective

ˌȯ-tə-ˈkra-tik How to pronounce autocratic (audio)
variants also autocratical
Definition of autocraticnext
1
as in authoritarian
exercising power or authority without interference by others democracy is supposed to protect the people against the rise of autocratic rulers

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in domineering
fond of ordering people around an autocratic Boy Scout leader who is under the delusion that he's still an army colonel

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of autocratic Indeed, the King would later establish the Instrument of Foundation of the Royal Academy as a more autocratic counterpart. — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 8 June 2026 But there simply aren’t that many people who want an autocratic America. — Matthew E.k. Hall, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2026 Putin was also at the parade, with the three autocratic leaders putting on an unprecedented show of unity. — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 5 June 2026 Activists in the industrial labor movement, the Congress of Industrial Organizations, compared their autocratic bosses to King George III and insisted that every American, native-born or immigrant, had the right to join a union and go on strike. — Michael Kazin, The Atlantic, 3 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for autocratic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for autocratic
  1. authoritarian
  2. domineering
  3. oppressive
  4. arrogant
  5. arbitrary
  6. despotic
  7. tyrannical
  8. dictatorial
Adjective
  • Socialism is an expansive term, applicable both to Scandinavian social democracies with strong private sectors and to authoritarian Communist regimes.
    — James Kirchick, The Atlantic, 21 July 2026
  • The data shows that democracies are overrepresented at the World Cup and also tend to do better than authoritarian nations – but does that matter?
    — John A. Tures, Fortune, 19 July 2026
Definition of authoritarian
Adjective
  • That’s a little too farcical for the moment, and the final cut lands more in a place of domineering intrigue.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 13 July 2026
  • His domineering physical appearance coupled with his goofy online persona have contributed to the craze.
    — Kaitlyn Huamani, Fortune, 13 July 2026
Definition of domineering
Adjective
  • Underneath a sky of wildfire smoke and haze, the teams played through four hydration breaks, injury stoppages, oppressive summer heat and a patchy pitch.
    — Meg Linehan, New York Times, 17 July 2026
  • Tenet is a collection of Nolan’s most frustrating habits cranked to 11 — from an oppressive soundscape that eclipses dialogue, to stylish yet flat characters, to a narrative that’s confusingly twisty to the point of contortion.
    — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 16 July 2026
Definition of oppressive
Adjective
  • Odysseus is a complex character known for being brilliant and crafty, but also being somewhat of an arrogant trickster.
    — Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026
  • Under normal conditions, someone who’s bossy or pushy can come across as arrogant and annoying.
    — Matthew Pittman, The Conversation, 17 July 2026
Definition of arrogant
Adjective
  • In previous work, Sarkar and his colleagues developed a method capable of self-testing arbitrary quantum states and measurements.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 18 July 2026
  • Retirement experts caution, though, that any arbitrary savings goal is of limited use, more a guidepost than a hard target.
    — Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 18 July 2026
Definition of arbitrary
Adjective
  • Loss of credibility leads to loss of legitimacy in a despotic regime.
    — Melik Kaylan, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
  • The pretence of an absolute, irresistible, despotic power, existing in every government somewhere, is incompatible with the first principle of natural right.
    — Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026
Definition of despotic
Adjective
  • The Hawaiians viewed the new rules as tyrannical; those with the disease were wont to hide in the hills of the islands, forever on the run.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 July 2026
  • Earth’s fighters team up to stop the tyrannical emperor Shao Kahn, with the help of the deadly Edenian princess Kitana.
    — Arushi Jacob, Variety, 17 July 2026
Definition of tyrannical
Adjective
  • As pointed out by Cox, Zagallo was only brought in as manager in the March of 1970 after his predecessor, Saldanha, had fallen out with Brazil’s dictatorial president Emilio Medici.
    — Will Jeanes, New York Times, 20 June 2026
  • Perhaps, no seriously, this is the continuation of the overshadowing dictatorial style coming from Washington, as evidenced flowing through the Paramount takeover of CBS and the subsequent displacement of other highly qualified CBS talent.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 7 June 2026
Definition of dictatorial

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Cite this Entry

“Autocratic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/autocratic. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

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