variants
also autocratical
1
as in oppressive
exercising power or authority without interference by others
democracy is supposed to protect the people against the rise of autocratic rulers
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in authoritarian
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
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Recent Examples of autocratic
Congress must impeach Trump to protect us President Donald Trump sending the National Guard into Los Angeles is his step forward to use the U.S. military to quell legal protests here in the U.S. and, in my opinion, to seize autocratic power.
—
Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 June 2025
Charles Franklin Seabrook, my grandfather, was the principal dreamer, main promoter, political fixer, master builder, and autocratic ruler of this industrial farming empire—and ultimately its destroyer.
—John Seabrook
june 11, Literary Hub, 11 June 2025
While the parade honors the Army, some Democrats have accused Trump of using the anniversary as an excuse to mark his birthday, comparing the event to the military parades of autocratic regimes such as Russia and North Korea.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025
Sadly, an administration that is willing to respond with lethal force to the concerns of its citizenry clearly displays its determination to establish an autocratic state.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for autocratic
Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 June 2025
Charles Franklin Seabrook, my grandfather, was the principal dreamer, main promoter, political fixer, master builder, and autocratic ruler of this industrial farming empire—and ultimately its destroyer.
—John Seabrook
june 11, Literary Hub, 11 June 2025
While the parade honors the Army, some Democrats have accused Trump of using the anniversary as an excuse to mark his birthday, comparing the event to the military parades of autocratic regimes such as Russia and North Korea.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025
Sadly, an administration that is willing to respond with lethal force to the concerns of its citizenry clearly displays its determination to establish an autocratic state.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for autocratic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for autocratic
Adjective
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For those still experiencing the oppressive heat, here are some tips for how to find your own bit of relief.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
27 June 2025
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The oppressive heat and humidity, which have brought triple-digit temperatures across the Midwest and East Coast in recent weeks, have caused the pavement to buckle on roads in a number of states.—
Robert Channick,
Chicago Tribune,
26 June 2025
Adjective
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The country is not like other countries that have had authoritarian histories.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
19 June 2025
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The Iranian state is a competitive authoritarian system with institutions that have evolved over a century.—
Narges Bajoghli,
Time,
19 June 2025
Adjective
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England opening batter Ben Duckett has started the summer in imperious form.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
19 June 2025
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The scientist, more hapless than mad, must retrieve Stitch in the name of the United Galactic Federation (Hannah Waddingham voices the imperious leader).—
Michael Phillips,
Chicago Tribune,
21 May 2025
Adjective
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Napoleon, the pig who takes despotic control of the farm following the revolution — voiced with haughty gusto by Seth Rogen — bears an uncanny resemblance to the current occupant of the White House.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
11 June 2025
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Bernal as a despotic and at times deluded Magellan persuades the Spanish Crown to fund his bold 16th century expedition to the fabled lands of the East, only to unleash a decade of devastation wreaked by European conquistadors in the Pacific as part of colonial conquests.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
3 June 2025
Adjective
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The protests proved conclusively that Americans will not tolerate the deployment of the U.S. military in American cities, the constant line-stepping over constitutional boundaries, the arrests of political dissenters, or the arrogant defense of police-state tactics.—
Newsweek Staff,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 June 2025
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In Aesop’s fable, the turtle (traditionally called a tortoise, which is a type of turtle) is a winner, a perpetual underdog who defeats the arrogant hare.—
A.O. Scott,
New York Times,
13 June 2025
Adjective
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In the sequel, Atwood focuses on how tyrannical regimes destroy themselves.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
28 May 2025
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The judiciary is the last obstacle to a president with designs on tyrannical rule.—
Sonam Sheth,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 May 2025
Adjective
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Conley has been sought out by Governor Slaton (a gently authoritative Chris Shyer), who has reopened the investigation at Lucille’s urging only to uncover contradictions and inconsistencies in the case.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2025
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Others believe Wilcox to be among the most impressive operators at his level, appreciating his unassuming but authoritative manner.—
Laurie Whitwell,
New York Times,
20 June 2025
Adjective
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Even his former closest associates now acknowledge that his political efforts have not lasted more than a few weeks or at most a few months, due to his dictatorial approach.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 June 2025
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Making a dictatorial decision could come back to haunt you as Mars and Uranus clash.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
15 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Autocratic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/autocratic. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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